Once I Was a Beehive

2015 "A girls camp movie based on thousands of true stories."
6.2| 1h59m| PG| en
Details

After losing her father to cancer, a teenage girl reluctantly joins her new step-cousin at a summer camp for Mormon girls.

Director

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Escapology

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Also starring Ashley Santos

Reviews

CheerupSilver Very Cool!!!
Aneesa Wardle The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.
Fulke Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.
Fleur Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.
Reno Rangan I am a film fanatic, so like everybody else I seek entertainment in the films I watch. But if it delivers a message or gives a lesson, I'll take it as an inspiration, no matter what category it belongs to.I mean I belong to no religion, but there are many good things about them other than wasting time in the temples and churches for the fantasy things. So that is where this film comes in, even for the non- believers.It might be about a Mormon related theme, that does not mean it is a propaganda or anything, but obviously that's how it looks like. In fact, it is a very enjoyable film, not just for the kids or the women, but anyone and mostly for the families.Because it was not about the god stuff, it was about the human bond and having faith in each other to work together. In many parts, that's what the film characters express through the dialogues and makes us comfortable for further viewing.The story was narrated from an atheist teen girl's perspective, but her condition of life had an impact for telling a beautiful and semi- emotional tale. It was a quality of the television product, mainly because it is PG rated.The wonderful cast and shot in the nicest places. So just enjoy its contents as a human being with the emotions and ignore the religious stuffs if you think it is overshadowed by that. Because, because of watching it you won't turn a Mormon in an overnight.6/10
kourtneykfitzgerald Since most Mormon films seem to cater toward the Mormon audience, I was pleasantly surprised to see that this film, while having Mormon characters, is not necessarily geared toward a Mormon audience. While it is probably best enjoyed by Mormon girls and women who have attended camp, it could easily be enjoyed by anyone. There are very few specifically "Mormon" references so it is relatable to a wide audience. That being said, it is a low-budget independent film, so don't expect to be wowed. However the acting quality is good, the soundtrack is good, and the plot, while fairly predictable, was not quite the touchy-feely conversion story that you'd expect from a religious film. It reminded me of the 2012 movie "Amazing Love". This film is a fairly accurate (though satirical) depiction of a Mormon girls camp. And yes, we really do sing "Noah's Arky" and "Mormon Boy"! It's tradition!
charlieliddle Once I Was a Beehive is a pretty bad movie. It is an independent film, but it still didn't really deliver. I can see how someone might enjoy it, but from a film critic's standpoint that really appreciates well made films and is bothered by filmmaking flaws, the movie isn't that good. I'll admit, I did laugh out loud a few times. There are a few pretty good jokes in the movie, but most of them fall flat. Another thing I do like is some of the emotion that is shown throughout. Other than that, the writing and acting is very weak. I found a lot of the actors to be annoying, but the best actor in the film is probably Mila Smith, who played Phoebe. There are also a lot of plot points that were predictable. If you're a young woman who is Mormon and has been to Girls Camp, then you might like the movie. Otherwise, do something valuable with your time.
Tivis Mercer I can't stop thinking about this film and all the individual talent that came together to make it. Maclain Nelson writes and directs an eloquent script that guides audiences through the delicate subject of death and adolescence, with an excellent pulse on todays young culture. Joel Remke's cinematography stands out, as his work holds the best of a feature and an indie film's attributes; be that his choice in dolly shots, playful angles, organic zooms and movements. There are scenes of Utah that are forever forged into my mind, thanks to this cinematography. Composer Michael Lee Bishop and the sound department brought their many talents to this film. This heartfelt journey was smartly orchestrated by editor Kristi Shimek. Her comical cuts and emotional rhythm to the film where refreshing, and made all the difference. There was a scene in which the audience was quietly crying and while Paris Warner's performance was lovely, it was clearly Shimek's editing that held the audience in tears. Mary Pickford is quoted for saying, "Make them laugh, make them cry, and back to laughter. What do people want to go to the theatre for? An emotional exercise." As far as acting goes, actress Paris Warner is a natural. Whatever she is doing, keep with it, because her tender and raw performance has a way of pulling you in, scene after scene. Such a talented cast, I wish there were more time to show off the campers's personalities. Actresses Kaley McCormack Allie Jennings have a bright comical future ahead of them.