Once I Was A Beehive, Review

Last night my girls and I were invited to go watch the pre-screening of Once I Was A Beehive. If you have followed my blog over the last 7 years you know I am NOT a huge movie fan… Not because I don’t like movies. Instead because I am so disappointed in what is presented or considered entertainment. I often see a show and think that was good…. BUT there were so many things that did not need to be there. It almost seems like Hollywood thinks vulgarity, sex, violence and bad language HAS TO BE in a film?

So then we move on to family friendly films, they often have a good message but are kind of “cheesy” and let’s face it sometimes a bit painful to watch. I admit I went into this show expecting it to be the classic “cheesy” show, but figured it would be a fun night with my girls.

This movie’s storyline is based on real life experiences from girl who have attended girls church camp. This camp is a LDS (Mormon) camp, and the main character is a girl who is not a member of this church. Her perspective of what goes on and how Christ is really what brings everyone together. Church camp was the highlight of my summer as a youth, and this movie brought back so many memories! I saw myself in so many of these characters at different stages of my youth (both good and bad). You do NOT have to be a Mormon to enjoy this film, it stands on its own as a well written, heart touching, HILARIOUS film that is enjoyable for the whole family young and old. Saying you have to be a Mormon to enjoy this show, would be like saying you have to be a football star to enjoy the show, We Are The Titans, or The Blind Side. A good story can take something unfamiliar to you and make it enjoyable within minutes!

So what was my HONEST opinion of this movie…. honesty can sometimes be a bit painful. Or it can be affirmation that you are doing the right thing and that families NEED more films like these! My girls and I absolutely, LOVED this film we laughed so hard my daughter leaned over and said, “Mom I laughed so hard I almost wet my pants”. It was so fun to sit there and laugh out loud, over and over with my girls… and not have to worry if the next scene was something that was not appropriate for my girls to see. It was also so special for me to look over and see my girls wiping a tears off their cheeks, and reaching over to hold my hand. I didn’t find it “cheesy” at all the cast did an amazing job!

This morning as I made my girls breakfast, and they sat at the counter (a little tired from the late night) they talked about their favorite parts of the show. They laughed out loud as they talked about some of the characters. They then talked about the dog and the bear and the HUGE Noah’s arc. They both agreed that it is a film they want to see again, and want to purchase so they can watch it at home (over and over). My 8 year old even said, “Mom I will even save my money and buy it if you don’t”. But I can assure you it will be one that we add to our family collection.

I invite you to watch and support this film. Help us tell Hollywood that we need and want more films like this as a choice when we go to the movie theatre. Entertainment can me good, uplifting and hilarious and family friendly. A huge thank you to the producer/writer Mclain Nelson for doing such a great job. You can find showtimes here. It opened in Utah a few weeks ago, but comes to Idaho, Arizona, Wyoming, and Hawaii this weekend September 11th.