Queen Bees movie review 2021

MOVIE TITLE: Queen Bees

This senior-citizen comedy is now available in theaters and on Amazon.

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RATING: PG-13

LENGTH: 1 hour 40 minutes

IN A NUTSHELL:

After reluctantly agreeing to move into a senior’s home, a 90-year old woman encounters a clique of mean-spirited senior women and an unexpected amorous widower. Some people are describing this movie as a mix between
Mean Girls and The Golden Girls: Season 1 , but that’s not entirely accurate.

The comedy was directed by Michael Lembeck who also brought us sugary-sweet comedies like The Santa Clause & The Santa Clause 2, Tooth Fairy, and a bunch of TV shows. I was curious about this movie because I recently moved my mother into a Memory Care facility. The people and the facility portrayed in the film are nothing like where my mother is, sadly. Everyone at my mother’s place is way too old and feeble to get into the kind of trouble these characters do in the movie.

The dramedy is definitely targeted to Baby Boomers and beyond, but I still got a kick out of it. It’s great to have some movies that appeal to older audiences.

THINGS I LIKED:

It’s great to see Ellen Burstyn. In real life, she’s 88 years old. What a smile and twinkle she still has.
Fun fact: Three of the leading ladies play a character whose name is very close to her own: Ellen Burstyn plays “Helen”; Ann-Margret plays “Margot” and Jane Curtin plays “Janet.” It didn’t seem possible to me that SNL star Jane Curtin would be old enough to even be in a retirement home, so I had to look up her age; she’s only 73 years old. The older I get, the younger that sounds!
The movie opens with delightful, chipper music which continues throughout.
The vintage cast also includes Loretta Devine, Christopher Lloyd, James Caan, and French Stewart.
You get to learn about some Filipino food from the comical massage therapist played by Alec Mapa.
There are some very touching moments that’ll get you teary-eyed.
I laughed at all the walkers lining the church pews in one of the scenes. They should have actually played that up more in the film. Instead, all of the seniors are extremely mobile.
The grandson, played by Matthew Barnes is the perfect grandson any grandma would ever wish for.
I felt bad for Elizabeth Mitchell who had to play such a cranky daughter. I’ve always thought she was so pretty and usually has such a gentle demeanor.
There’s a little twist in the story, but I don’t want to spoil it for you…
There is some cute humor.
Keep watching during the rolling credits for some very sweet pictures of couples who married later in life.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

If you’re over 50 years old, you’ll remember these stars in their hey-dey, which makes it more fun to watch them in this. Younger viewers may be mildly entertained without knowing the actors, but this film will definitely appeal more to an older audience.
It’s super cheesy, but there’s nothing wrong with cheesy, especially if you’re old!
It’s a little heartbreaking to see some of our long-time favorites get old.
The pacing changes throughout the film.
There is some edginess at the beginning with sarcastic characters, but then syrup gets dripped all over the script and things are neatly tied up with a bow.
Nobody really likes watching super old people kiss and talk about intimate relations.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Kids are definitely going to be bored.
Some “mild” profanity
Two of the old women get high smoking a joint.
Talk of a “tata towel” and the comment “Keep ’em high, keep ’em dry.” Women will laugh and be able to relate but everyone else will be grossed out.

THEMES:

Aging
Change
Love
Friendship
Trust
Forgiveness

FUNNY LINES:

“I only quote doctors.” – Helen Wilson (Ellen Burstyn)
“She burns most of her calories rolling her eyes.” – Laura Crane (Elizabeth Mitchell)
“Sweat is just fat crying out for attention.” – Janet Poindexter (Jane Curtin)
“Are you flirting with that guy with the squirrel on his head?” – Janet Poindexter (Jane Curtin)
“Are you going to play a card or should we all just take a nap?” – Janet Poindexter (Jane Curtin)
“They’re like Mean Girls but with medic alert bracelets.” – Helen Wilson (Ellen Burstyn)

INTERESTING LINES:

“Education is the most powerful weapon to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela
“Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you respond to it.” – Lou Holz
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela
“Encore means again.” – Janet Poindexter (Jane Curtin)
“It’s never too late to find friends, to tell the truth, to find love, to take risks, and to say I love you.” – Janet Poindexter (Jane Curtin)
“Eighty’s the new eighteen.” – Janet Poindexter (Jane Curtin)