Once I Was a Beehive

I came across this movie on Netflix. It was really good, and really other than the 'Young Women" reference, it took me a while to realize it was Mormon. It seemed to be just strictly Bible - It's a really good movie to show how girls interact and that even grownups lose their tempers and have the same identity issues. We're all just on a journey. My only one "complaint".. they should have done a bit more research on service animals verses emotional support animals and where they are allowed. Although, Roxie is adorable and helps calm Phoebe - she cannot be called a service animal. She is not trained to do work or a task! She simply calms Phoebe by being near her. An animal that calms just by their presence is an Emotional Support animal and is NOT allowed anywhere the person goes. A service animal is NOT a pet and other people would not be petting her. I only bring it up because it is a huge issue now and this movie is just adding to that confusion.

You don't have to be a 12 year old girl to enjoy this film. My wife and I (50 years old) have watched this movie twice and we love it. Yeah, it's full of stereotypes and there's nothing especially groundbreaking here, but it's fun, wholesome, has some nice music, and is remarkably well produced for such a small budget film. I can see bright futures for several of the actors in this film as well.

Most of the reviewers feel compelled to mention Mormonism (many of the makers of this film are LDS and it was originally released to target LDS audiences in Utah) but rest assured if you're one of those folks that have unfortunately formed some weird preconceived notion of what that means, get over it! Yes, I think these characters and values do accurately reflect LDS members, but I can't fathom how this movie would be any different if you substituted any other church. And it's NOT a preachy church movie! Just characters with good and wholesome values who are having a great experience at Bible camp. Drat! Now I went and mentioned it too!

Just relax and have fun. Share it with your kids and grand kids. There are some wonderful messages here, especially for the young ladies.

Since most Mormon films seem to cater toward the Mormon audience, I was pleasantly surprised to see that this film, while having Mormon characters, is not necessarily geared toward a Mormon audience. While it is probably best enjoyed by Mormon girls and women who have attended camp, it could easily be enjoyed by anyone. There are very few specifically "Mormon" references so it is relatable to a wide audience. That being said, it is a low-budget independent film, so don't expect to be wowed. However the acting quality is good, the soundtrack is good, and the plot, while fairly predictable, was not quite the touchy-feely conversion story that you'd expect from a religious film. It reminded me of the 2012 movie "Amazing Love". This film is a fairly accurate (though satirical) depiction of a Mormon girls camp. And yes, we really do sing "Noah's Arky" and "Mormon Boy"! It's tradition!

The main character is really judgemental and all of the other actors are very vapid people who don't get better. I went to girls camp for six years and we were very willing to help clean up and do what we needed in order to make it a pleasant experience. any person with half a brain would put effort in doing a good job in building a tent because that is where you will live for the next five days. I grew up in the church but it defiantly didn't mean my life was easy and that I was clueless about the world around me. I had a lot of friends who were not of my faith including some who went with us to girls camp and we always worked to help them feel included and loved. so basically this movie stereotypes teen girls in the worst way possible without bothering to improve them by the end so you leave the movie with a sour taste in your mouth. All of the adults are rude and judgemental and don't even try to help the girls. In real life the adults would be taking time off of work and using vacation days to go to girl's camp. It's a real sacrifice for them. Why try to make a movie about something you clearly know nothing about? Many teen girls who saw the movie after even said it's not even close to that in real life.

I can't stop thinking about this film and all the individual talent that came together to make it. Maclain Nelson writes and directs an eloquent script that guides audiences through the delicate subject of death and adolescence, with an excellent pulse on todays young culture. Joel Remke's cinematography stands out, as his work holds the best of a feature and an indie film's attributes; be that his choice in dolly shots, playful angles, organic zooms and movements. There are scenes of Utah that are forever forged into my mind, thanks to this cinematography. Composer Michael Lee Bishop and the sound department brought their many talents to this film. This heartfelt journey was smartly orchestrated by editor Kristi Shimek. Her comical cuts and emotional rhythm to the film where refreshing, and made all the difference. There was a scene in which the audience was quietly crying and while Paris Warner's performance was lovely, it was clearly Shimek's editing that held the audience in tears. Mary Pickford is quoted for saying, "Make them laugh, make them cry, and back to laughter. What do people want to go to the theatre for? An emotional exercise." As far as acting goes, actress Paris Warner is a natural. Whatever she is doing, keep with it, because her tender and raw performance has a way of pulling you in, scene after scene. Such a talented cast, I wish there were more time to show off the campers's personalities. Actresses Kaley McCormack Allie Jennings have a bright comical future ahead of them.