Queen Bees

In this day when you can rarely find a movie not full of the F*bomb, GD, nudity, etc..., this was a lighthearted, fun time. The actors in the movie are all part of the all-time greats! Burstyn, Margaret, Curtain, Caan (RIP), Lloyd and the quirky, Loretta Devine (The Preacher's Wife), round this out for a sweet and fun good time.

We're all going to get old eventually and we might as well accept that. The parallel to high school drama was spot on. Those same cliques, cliches, "queen B's" are present throughout our lives. We first find this out when we finish school and join the workforce. And everyone deserves to find love regardless of his/her age.

So, if you are in the mood for a short respite from the daily grind with a cast of acting legends, this will check the box.

Queen Bees is a new one starring Ellen Burstyn (pushing 90) as a woman who's forced to move into a snazzy retirement facility after she burns down her kitchen. She does not want to go but she has no options. Once there, she runs into a clique of "mean girls" as though no one ever left high school. There's also a tepid romance that's not what it seems.

Enjoyable but rather pale. Story takes place in a world where no one worries about money and although health issues are mentioned, they don't stop anyone from doing anything. Maybe minus the romance this might have been more effective and more humorous. Burstyn is good (as always) as the no-nonsense ex-teacher who succumbs to romance. James Caan is startlingly decrepit looking as the swain. The mean girls are played by Ann-Marget, Loretta Devine, and Jane Curtin. There's also Eric Mapa as a physical therapist and French Stewart as the snarky administrator. Curtin comes off best among the co-stars as the ultra-mean "leader of the pack." Everyone has issues but they're all easily cleared up (or forgotten) by the end of the show.

My Review - Queen Bees

My Rating 7/10

You wouldn't expect an Academy Award winning 6 time nominated actress like Ellen Burstyn who also has a Tony and two Primetime Emmys making her one of the few performers to achieve the "Triple Crown of Acting " to accept a dud film script and Queen Bees is certainly no dud .

It's a funny sensitive story about 4 mature age women negotiating the trials and tribulations of the many changes of longevity that if we're lucky enough to get there we may all experience.

Todays Cinema rom com movies are mostly aimed at younger audiences so it's great to see a quality mature age romance comedy.

Set mostly at The Pinegrove Retirement Complex Ellen Burstyn as Helen Wilson a very independent widow is experiencing some problems living alone.

Helen and her daughter Laura have a strained relationship but eventually Helen and her family decide through upsetting circumstances that their spirited and strong willed mother and much loved Grandmother to Peter played delightfully by Matthew Barnes can no longer live alone .

Helen reluctantly agrees move temporarily into Pinegrove until her precious home is repaired.

Ellen Burstyn steals this film she is such an accomplished and authentic actress you believe her experiences and emotions.

Of course there are some hokey perhaps corny gags in Queen Bees this movie has heart and certainly is entertaining and worth seeing.

There's some wonderful Hollywood veterans in Queen Bees Ann Margaret as Margo still on the hunt for romance, James Caan gives a lovely performance as Dan Simpson the would be suitor of Helen. The three other Queen Bees Jane Curtain as Janet Poindexter the bitchy cranky self proclaimed leader of the bridge club , Loretta Devine as Helen's friendly Bridge partner and Marianne Muellererie as Anne make a great team.

Donald Martin has written a good script based on a story by Harrison Powell and the film is well directed by Michael Lembeck.

I thoroughly enjoyed Queen Bees and definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys good acting with no gimmicks or thrills that reflects the everyday issues that confront our precious elder generation.

Bravo!!! Such a respectful film with the older generation of actors in giving them dignity with the life they still have and portraying it, as it is in reality with everyone actually, for the world to see. Love and human kindness is is to be standard with anyone, anywhere, at any age! And life is life at any age or circumstance and is not to be overlooked or forgotten or ignored by anyone, including our own family!

More films, and music, should reflect the reality of who we are as a human beings and not displayed only in what is supposedly "acceptable" in fashion or looks or in style with perfection or highest standards!

We have lost touch in making films to portray the goodness, and heart felt needs of the human soul.

It's great to see a romantic comedy involving the silver population. The story is sweet, engaging and heart warming. I certainly hope I'll be able to experience such joy as the characters have.