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IMDbPro

Tell It to the Bees

  • 2018
  • TV-MA
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
6K
YOUR RATING
Anna Paquin and Holliday Grainger in Tell It to the Bees (2018)
In 1950s small town Britain, a doctor develops a relationship with her young patient's mother.
Play trailer1:55
4 Videos
99+ Photos
DramaRomance

In 1950s small town Britain, a doctor develops a relationship with her young patient's mother.In 1950s small town Britain, a doctor develops a relationship with her young patient's mother.In 1950s small town Britain, a doctor develops a relationship with her young patient's mother.

  • Director
    • Annabel Jankel
  • Writers
    • Henrietta Ashworth
    • Jessica Ashworth
    • Fiona Shaw
  • Stars
    • Billy Boyd
    • Gregor Selkirk
    • Anna Paquin
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Annabel Jankel
    • Writers
      • Henrietta Ashworth
      • Jessica Ashworth
      • Fiona Shaw
    • Stars
      • Billy Boyd
      • Gregor Selkirk
      • Anna Paquin
    • 50User reviews
    • 40Critic reviews
    • 50Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 6 nominations

    Videos4

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:55
    Watch Official Trailer
    Tell It to the Bees
    Trailer 1:51
    Watch Tell It to the Bees
    Tell It To The Bees: Thank You
    Clip 1:37
    Watch Tell It To The Bees: Thank You
    Tell It To The Bees: I'll See You Tomorrow
    Clip 1:10
    Watch Tell It To The Bees: I'll See You Tomorrow

    Photos122

    Anna Paquin and Holliday Grainger in Tell It to the Bees (2018)
    Anna Paquin and Holliday Grainger in Tell It to the Bees (2018)
    Anna Paquin and Holliday Grainger in Tell It to the Bees (2018)
    Anna Paquin in Tell It to the Bees (2018)
    Anna Paquin and Holliday Grainger in Tell It to the Bees (2018)
    Anna Paquin and Holliday Grainger in Tell It to the Bees (2018)
    Anna Paquin and Holliday Grainger in Tell It to the Bees (2018)
    Anna Paquin and Holliday Grainger in Tell It to the Bees (2018)
    Anna Paquin and Holliday Grainger in Tell It to the Bees (2018)
    Anna Paquin and Holliday Grainger in Tell It to the Bees (2018)
    Kate Dickie and Holliday Grainger in Tell It to the Bees (2018)
    Anna Paquin and Holliday Grainger in Tell It to the Bees (2018)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Billy Boyd
    Billy Boyd
    • Older Charlie
    • (voice)
    Gregor Selkirk
    Gregor Selkirk
    • Charlie Weekes
    Anna Paquin
    Anna Paquin
    • Dr. Jean Markham
    Euan Mason
    • John
    Holliday Grainger
    Holliday Grainger
    • Lydia Weekes
    Lauren Lyle
    Lauren Lyle
    • Annie Stock
    Kate Dickie
    Kate Dickie
    • Pam Stock
    Lauren Annie Boyle
    • Chanting Girl #1
    • (as Lauren Boyle)
    Zara Howell
    • Chanting Girl #2
    Violet Fluendy
    • Chanting Girl #3
    Kaidon McGrath
    • Bully
    Liam Meghan
    • Billy
    Joanne Gallagher
    Joanne Gallagher
    • Mrs. Bewick
    Joni Samson
    • Connie
    Isaac Jenkins
    • Tim Bewick
    Farah Samson
    • Iris
    Leo Hoyte-Egan
    • George
    Emun Elliott
    Emun Elliott
    • Robert Weekes
    • Director
      • Annabel Jankel
    • Writers
      • Henrietta Ashworth
      • Jessica Ashworth
      • Fiona Shaw
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Adapted from a novel by Fiona Shaw. However, the book's happy ending was changed to a more bittersweet ending in the movie.
    • Quotes

      Dr. Jean Markham: You should tell the bees your secrets. Then they won't fly away.

    • Connections
      References Heidi (1937)

    User reviews50

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    A Bee Movie with a sting in the tale.
    Tell it to the Bees plays like a grittier Scottish version of "Carol".

    It's 1952 ("Carol" was also set in 1952, but in New York). Many married men have come back from the war forever changed. Life is financially tough for most families. In particular, attitudes to multi-racial relationships and (particularly) homosexuality are appalling, and never more so than in the small Scottish mill town where the film is set.

    Holliday Grainger plays Lydia, separating from her rough and ready war-veteren husband Robert (Emun Elliott). This is all really hard for 7-year old Charlie (Gregor Selkirk) who without sexual guidance from either parent or school is trying to make sense of his world. Charlie is a sensitive child and finds solace by talking to the bees kept by local doctor Jean Markham (Anna Paquin) where she lives alone in the large family home. "You should tell the bees your secrets. Then they won't fly away." Jean tells the young lad.

    As Lydia's circumstances change, she and Jean grow ever closer and scandal is set to envelope the community.

    The story comes from a book by Fiona Shaw (the the action moved from Yorkshire to Scotland) and the screenplay is by Henrietta and Jessica Ashworth. Just as in "Carol" the film deliciously builds (if that's not too lascivious a thing to say) the sexual tension that grows between the two women.

    But aside from this main love story there are some beautifully crafted sub-stories in there. One in particular, featuring Lydia's cousin Annie Stock (Lauren Lyle) leads to a truly nightmarish scene that will upset some viewers.

    An issue I personally found with the Scottish setting is that (like "Under the Skin") much of a dialogue is delivered in a very strong regional accent. This made understanding the dialogue for non-Scots very difficult: I had a particular problem with Emun Elliott in this regard. (Sorry if this comment upsets any Scots reading this: it's just a statement of fact!).

    Anna Paquin holds the current record for the youngest-ever Oscar winner ("Best Supporting Actress" in 1993 for "The Piano"), but here proves she hasn' t lost her touch. Because, here she is both determined and vulnerable in equal measure and acts this out brilliantly. Paired with the free-spirited Holliday Grainger they make for a powerhouse performance together, and the sex scene (when it comes) is wonderfully realised: genuinely sensual, but in more of a 50's way than for similar scenes in films like "Desert Hearts" or "Blue is the Warmest Colour".

    A late scene on a railway platform - although somewhat clichéd - is an acting masterclass, and memorably done.

    Also noteworthy is young Gregor Selkirk in what is his 2nd feature film role. Many of the scenes live or die on this young man, and he does a great job.

    This is a small but beautifully crafted film that kept me enthralled. I'm not sure it necessarily needed the bees (some beautiful macro photography by Bartosz Nalazek) but as a simple tale of prejudice in a small community it was well told and delivered the goods.

    I really enjoyed this film... so it comes with my recommendation. "Pride" made you appreciate just how far tolerance has come in the UK in 30 years. But "Tell it to the Bees" illustrates that the 80's were just a step along a journey that started long before that.

    (For the full, graphical review please visit One Mann's Movies on the internet or Facebook.
    helpful•38
    6
    • bob-the-movie-man
    • Jul 16, 2019

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    FAQ1

    • Why all the hype about her lesbianism? It has never been a crime in Britain.

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 3, 2019 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • Sweden
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Môi Hôn Ngọt Ngào
    • Production companies
      • Motion Picture Capital
      • BFI Film Fund
      • Creative Scotland
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross worldwide
      • $151,107
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 48 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby SR
      • D-Cinema 48kHz 5.1
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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