Bee Season (2005)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Directors:

Scott McGehee
David Siegel

Writers (WGA):

Myla Goldberg (novel)
Naomi Foner (screenplay)

Release Date:

17 November 2005 (Australia)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Words may define us, but it's love that connects us.

Plot:

A wife and mother begins a downward emotional spiral, as her husband avoids their collapsing marriage by immersing himself in his 11 year-old daughter's quest to become a spelling bee champion.

Plot Keywords:

Spelling | Secret | Spelling Bee | National Spelling Bee | Book

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Richard Gere	...	Saul
Juliette Binoche	...	Miriam
Flora Cross	...	Eliza
Max Minghella	...	Aaron
Kate Bosworth	...	Chali
Corey Fischer	...	National Spelling Bee Pronouncer
Sam Zuckerman	...	National Spelling Bee Judge
Joan Mankin	...	Ms. Bergermeyer
Piers Mackenzie	...	Dr. Morris
Lorri Holt	...	Ms. Rai
Brian Leonard	...	Mr. Julien
Jamal Thornes	...	Wiseacre Boy's Mate
Kathy McGraw	...	Regional Bee Pronouncer
John Evans	...	Regional Bee Judge
Alisha Mullally	...	Young Miriam

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, a scene of sensuality and brief strong language.

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Hebrew

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Netherlands:AL | Mexico:B | Singapore:NC-16 | Brazil:12 | Argentina:13 | France:U | Sweden:Btl | Australia:M | Finland:K-7 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #40910) | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Iceland:LH (video rating) | South Korea:12 | UK:12A

Filming Locations:

1075 Mariposa Avenue, Berkeley, California, USA

Company:

Bee Season Productions Inc.

Trivia:

Jonathan Murphy auditioned for the part of Aaron Naumann.

Goofs:

Continuity: The license plates on the family Volvo are different on the front and back. The front license plate starts with a "4", the rear license plate starts with a "5".

Quotes:

Saul: There are people who believe that letters are an expression of a very special primal energy and when they combine to make words they hold all the secrets of the universe...
Saul: Remember the Vikings?
Saul: [Takes a green apple] Ok, Vikings called this "aepli".
Saul: Now when they took it across the sea in their ships it became "apfel".
Saul: Crossed another border, it became "appel".
Saul: By the time it got to us it was "apple".
Saul: Its spelling contains all of that.
Saul: It holds its history inside it.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee: (2005-11-14)" (2005)

Soundtrack:

Violin Concerto in E Major BWV 1042

A Film to be Viewed with a Thirsty Mind

BEE SEASON is a strange little film that seems to polarize the public. Though many have dismissed it as fragmentary and superficial, taking the time to bear down on the issues merely touched upon yields an emotional as well as spiritual experience not often found in films. With a cast that includes Juliette Binouche and Richard Gere there should be a hint there may be more to the film than a quick glance might reveal.

Based on the highly successful novel by Myla Goldberg the story enters the household of a family of four: Saul (Richard Gere) is the father who is a professor of spiritual studies; Miriam (Juliette Binouche) is the mother suffering with demons from her past loss of her parents as a child leading her to grow without an intact family; Eliza (Flora Cross) is the daughter who seems content to watch TV instead of paying attention to her schooling; and Aaron (Max Minghella) is the son who excels at playing the cello and who is the focus of his father's life. When it is discovered that Eliza has a penchant for spelling and wins a spelling bee the focus of this family abruptly changes. Suddenly Saul moves his attention to Eliza, convinced that she has the power of the influx of God-knowledge (shefa) described by the Kabbalist Abraham Abulafia. This leads to his prepping her for her constant victories at spelling bees, but it also leaves Aaron without focus and he responds by seeking first Christianity then Hare Krishna for the meaning of his life. At the same time Miriam becomes more isolated and secretive and enters a state of depression that reflects her childhood loss and the need to accumulate 'things' in a number of ways that border on mental breakdown.

The film is best viewed, by the way, by first watching the featurette about the reasons for the making of the film - a wise commentary that gives us enough philosophical background to appreciate the message of the story that seemingly has eluded directors Scott McGehee and David Siegel. Watching the explanation of how religions all act to provide frameworks that should help individuals to piece together the fragments of existence that have been given to us as our lives serves to bring into focus how each of the four characters in this story is each on that journey for meaning. Once viewed, this featurette makes the movie far more meaningful and enjoyable.

The screenplay by Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal (yes, the mother of Maggie and Jake) is minimalist in technique of writing, giving just enough information about the big questions to make us work to paste the story together. The cinematography by Giles Nuttgens and special effects by Sean House are used extraordinarily well to underline the mysticism that permeates the film's story. Peter Nashel's musical score accompanies the otherworldly atmosphere that helps to bring the audience into the mood of the film.

This may not be a great film, but it is a unique one that calls upon the audience to think and free-associate with the characters, each of whom is well enacted by a strong cast. Well worth viewing. Grady Harp