Many of the user reviews are from members of the Mormon faith. Their reviews focus on the Mormon faith. This movie is not about religion; it's about friendship. Lane, the main character, was raised my her free-spirited dad (whose faith comes from nature). A year after his death Lane's mother marries a man who is Mormon (again, that doesn't matter). Enter Phoebe, a 12 year old girl riddled with anxiety,and Lane's new step cousin. Lane is the only "non-adult" that accepts Phoebe (in Pheobe's mind). Phoebe's mom's fried, an over the top woman, encourages Phoebe to go. Phoebe doesn't want to. Lane overhears the conversation and reluctantly goes to support Phoebe. Lane suddenly realizes that she is with a bunch of crazy (no offense to Mormons) girls who yell Biblical songs, have weird names, and who are clique-y. Lane is given the chance to go home before she reaches camp, but decides against it. When the girls arrive at camp, Lane and Phoebe support one another while the other girls follow the direction of their "Laurel" leader, Brea. Lane finds solace in Nedra, a 65 year old Vietnam vet. Nedra educates Lane on faith, while not being preachy about it. (SPOILER ALERT: when something bad happens to Phoebe's dog, Lane consoles her about grief and lose. But, while doing so, we can see how Lane switches from consoling Phoebe's pain, to feeling her own pain of her father's death. (END OF SPOILER ALERT) I enjoyed that Lane stated that she still did not know what she believed in, and that it was met with acceptance by the entire camp. Caution: be prepared to cry at some scenes. This movie is about friendship, and the release of grief and loss. Pay no attention to the religious aspects of this film. A.k.a. be open-mined and you'll have two hours of a great story! ALSO the over-the-top camp leader and girls' humor.
Review of Once I Was a Beehive
