'Secret Life of Bees' not typical Hollywood
This sanitized 1964-set drama centers around three fascinating, educated, cultured black women running their own honey business during the Civil Rights movement in South Carolina. So why is the main character a white girl named Lily (Dakota Fanning), on the lam from her abusive daddy (Paul Bettany)? Fortunately, Gina Prince-Bythewood's drama, based on Sue Monk Kidd's best-seller, doesn't turn Lily into a typical Hollywood white savior for minorities. As the least interesting and most derivative character, why is she in the story at all? Jennifer Hudson's steely, defiant Rosaleen makes a far better protagonist, and doesn't pander to white racist marketing assumptions. Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys and Sophie Okonedo play the Boatwright sisters. (PG-13) violence. 110 minutes.
Facts: At area theaters
'Tru Loved'
Stewart Wade's sincere, independent high school romance movie has a big heart, but its dirge-like pacing, overwritten script and sledgehammered message of tolerance make it a ripe candidate for the Gay Sensitivity Channel, if one every comes around. A star football quarterback (Matthew Thompson) hides his gay nature, until a female friend with two gay dads and two lesbian moms (a charismatic Najarra Townsend) helps establish a Gay-Straight Alliance. Co-starring former Trib writer Bruce Vilanch and a grandmotherly Nichelle "Lt. Uhura" Nichols. Say it ain't so! Rated R (language) 104 minutes.
Facts: :At the Century Centre Cinema Chicago
The Progressive Film Festival
Movies with social messages are presented free! Go to www.d-a-w-n.org.
Facts: 2 p.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18 and 19, in Room SRC 2800, College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn