DVD Review: Queen Bees

Queen Bees
(DVD Queen)

This quirky little film is a little bit Mean Girls, a little bit The Golden Girls, and a hefty dollop of senior Rom-Com. Ellen Burstyn stars as Helen Wilson, a very independent senior woman who reluctantly agrees to a temporary stay in a senior living community after a little accident at her own home requires some repairs. Urged by her loving grandson to try to engage with the other residents at the senior community, Helen tried to join a bridge group, only to be rebuffed by the hostile leader of the Queen Bees (rhymes with witches), played by Jane Curtin. Eventually, despite the difficulties entailed, Helen does join this group, and her involvement in their lives leads to awkward friendships. While I enjoyed the chemistry in this group of senior women, which includes Ann-Margaret and Loretta Devine, my main interest in seeing this film is because it was the final film James Caan made before he passed away. He plays the slightly bumbling and unexpected “love interest” for Burstyn’s Helen, and watching their friendship grow is one of the true charms of this enjoyable little film. Excellent supporting work from French (3rd Rock From the Sun) Stewart as the Pine Grove Senior Community’s administrator, Alex Mapa as Lito Santos, the sympathetic masseuse and partner in crime to the ladies, and especially Matthew Barnes as Helen’s utterly charming grandson, Peter.

 

(If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Senior Moment starring William Shatner, Jean Smart and Christopher Lloyd (who also happens to have a small but heartbreaking role in Queen Bees), and Here Today, starring Billy Crystal and Tiffany Haddish.)

 

( Internet Movie Database entry for this film )

 

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

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