MovieChat Forums > The Secret Life of Bees (2008) Discussion > A scene from Dakota that fell flat...

A scene from Dakota that fell flat...

posted 16 years ago by rosek102
29 replies | jump to latest

I can't believe I just said that, because over the years, it has seemed virtually impossible that Dakota could turn in a weak performance at any given time. She is almost incapable of being false. However, I have watched this movie numerous times, and I always cringe at her big crying scene near the end with Queen Latifah. Just watching her go down to the ground and start bawling...it seems flat and unconvincing. She was able to get the tears out, and the message of the scene was powerful, but I just didn't like Dakota's performance there.

However, that is probably the only complaint I have in Dakota's otherwise phenomenal acting career. I don't mean to be rude at all, because I am a huge fan of her work, and I still think she's going to turn into the Meryl Streep of her generation. I was just wondering if anyone noticed the same thing I did with this particular scene.

[–] reminiscent00 16 years ago

I thought that she did great in this movie, but i never do like crying scenes for some reason. I think it is because they are staged. Anyway, when i first heard about this movie coming out in theaters, i was excited, but i didn't have any money to see it, so i had to wait until it came out on DVD. It was a great movie, but i was mad, because the version i had didn't have any special features, and i wanted to see the deleted scenes. Here is a new lesson for me: Don't trust Blockbuster when it comes to new releases.

"Before judging me, think how you live your life when no one's watching."

[–] nadaclue 16 years ago

Yeah, I am a huge fan of hers too. She is definitely one of my favorite actresses.

But I kind of agree. It wasn't necessarily bad... but it did just seem weird for some reason when she got on the floor. I'm not really sure why.

But the main reason that it didnt seem quite right was that it felt a bit rushed. she stopped crying too soon, just too abruptly, which made it a little unbelievable to me. some more sobs at the end might have made it better.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] rosek102 16 years ago

Maybe the problem was that she was trying too hard with that particular scene. Her other emotional scenes in the movie were excellent, specifically the one with May in the water, and when Lily broke down and fainted during the Virgin Mary prayers. Dakota appeared more fluid and natural in those segments, and throughout the movie.

A lot of talk shows and appearances she made featured that Queen Latifah scene, and it's too bad, because there were tons of others where she was so much better. It was just too fake for me.

[–] sweetieutah 16 years ago

I don't know Dakota made me cry with that scene. I thought she did a good job with that scene and down the line she will have more opportunites for scenes and maybe she will do more of whoa knock your socks off, but I think she did ok, not horrible compared to some crying scenes in movies.

[–] kered4892 16 years ago

i disagree, i thought she was amazing in this movie. such an incredible movie! fantastic performances!!

[–] vitika 16 years ago

I had the same feeling with you. Dakota was weak in that scene, it was too fake and unbelievable. But overall I like her work :)

[–] apocalypse_please24 16 years ago

Really? I thought that particular scene was really good. I was convinced at least. What were you expecting?

Big Gay Al, it has recently come to our attention that you are gay.

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[–] Viv70 15 years ago

"There are better actors like that girl from miss sunshine".

OMG, please tell me that was a joke!!

You might have a credible argument with a child actor like Freddie Highmore or even Isabelle Fuhrman in "Orphan" but Abigail Breslin? She's adorable but, as far as acting skills, she's just not in the same league as Dakota.

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[–] Dentist2014 15 years ago

Ok, personally, Abigail is WAY better than Freddie Highmoore. Abigail and Dakota are my two favorite actresses and i think they are equally talented. but in no way is freddie highmoore as talented as abigail breslin. btw, she was phenomenal in my sisters keeper.

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[–] Viv70 15 years ago

"You tell me her crying wasnt convincing in Little Miss Sunshine."

She actually had SEVERAL touching moments in "Sunshine" - though still not worthy of the Oscar nom she received that year, IMO. I still think the child actress who starred in "Pan's Labyrinth" was more Oscar-worthy.

Abigail Breslin is certainly not a BAD child actress - just not the same caliber as Dakota, Freddie Highmore, Haley Joel Osment, etc.

[–] Nearvana 15 years ago

agreed. dakota is over-rated. i feel she over-acts in everything she does. i just see a young actress that has been overly trained. i cringe at almost every movie i have seen her in. being from the south, i find her southern accents atrocious. she is young & too self aware for her parts. it's as if i can see the pressure she is under, all over her face. typically, young people are still very naive, and if they are told by a single parent to go with them, they go, no questions asked, no debate, particularly in the 60s south. i just find it unbelievable. however, i was pleasantly surprised by the supporting cast & the rest of the storyline. with that said, enough with dakota, give some other young actresses a chance.

serva me, serva bote

[–] Viv70 15 years ago

Though I am a huge Dakota fan, I think I have to agree with you here.

Her performance in every other scene in the film is nearly flawless and utterly convincing (especially the scene where she first remembers what happened to her mother) - in fact, she steals the movie, IMO.

But for some reason that I can't quite put my finger on, her performance in this particular scene just doesn't work - it seems a bit over-the-top and melodramatic and, lacks the seamless and natural tone of her other scenes.

[–] freshy 15 years ago

Really? I must disagree. I thought it was a well performed scene. Not Oscar worthy but it seemed realistic enough to me. I believe Dakota is one of the few young actresses with raw, natural talent. In the hands of a good director she could turn any performance into gold. So far I have only disliked her in War of the World and I don't even think she was the one to blame there (right Steven?).

[–] JayKay00 15 years ago

Yea. I just watched the movie. I loved Dakota in it but i think that scene was her only draw back. Still love her.

"Never give up, never surrender."

[–] loves_it_gorgeous 15 years ago

I agree, the only thing I didn't like was her high pitched voice that you could hardley hear what she was saying because it sounded like she was screaming like a mouse! She needed to be clear with her words in that scene!

[–] rosek102 15 years ago

Abbie Breslin is adorable and a very talented actress - she is especially good at delivering a crying scene - but I disagree in that she is in the same league as Dakota. To me, Dakota's acting is just off the charts, and it's amazing what she is able to do. There are many good and credible young actors out there, but Dakota's talent is pretty rare. She is a true star.