DISCLAIMER: You should not even listen to me about this movie because my friends made it and I am a biased liar. Ask anyone. I’ve never said anything critical about a friend. It’s just not in my nature. Heck, I have a hard time criticizing strangers, let alone people I know. So I am not to be trusted here. Ignore me. Don’t even read this review. Turn off your computer and throw it into the ocean.
Standing on the shoulders of the well-meaning but mostly lame Mormon comedies that have come before it, “Once I Was a Beehive” manages to be funny, sweet, AND sincere (a rare combination), with a lovely story about girl power, acceptance, and avoiding bears. It’s set at a week-long summer camp for teenage Mormon girls, and is aimed more at that demographic than at mine. But in truth, its sunny idealism and practical approach to faith make it almost universally appealing, unless you’re some kind of monster.
In a smart narrative choice, we’re introduced to the world of girls camp through the eyes of an outsider: 16-year-old Lane Speer (Paris Warner), whose widowed mother (Amy Biedel) has just married a Mormon man (Brett Merritt). While they honeymoon, Lane spends the summer with her new step-cousins, including 12-year-old Phoebe (Mila Smith), a precocious bundle of anxiety and fear. It’s the first year Phoebe is old enough for girls camp, but she doesn’t want to go, especially not without Roxy, her comfort dog. Lane, generous of spirit despite grieving the loss of her father and not being totally OK yet with mom’s remarriage, offers to tag along so Phoebe will have a friend.
There are 10 girls total, a few of whom blend together as background rather than as distinct characters. Among those that register are bossy queen bee Bree (Clare Niederpruem); class clown Mindy (Kaley McCormack); and boy-crazy Charlotte (Allie Jennings). The whole gang is escorted into the woods by their Young Women’s leaders: Phoebe’s mom, Holly (Hailey Smith); Bree’s supernaturally enthusiastic mother, Carrie Carrington (Lisa Valentine Clark), whose name makes Lane think of “the alter ego of a Christian superhero”; and Nedra Rockwell (Barta Heiner), a salty old ex-Marine who prefers the camping and survival skills over the froofy scrapbooking and skit-performing that go on here. Their earnest Mormon bishop (Ken Craig) is here too, arriving in the sidecar of Nedra’s motorcycle.
Written and directed by Maclain Nelson (who never went to girls camp) from a story he conceived with Hailey Smith (who did), the film finds a lot of avenues for humor without overdoing any of them. There are tent mishaps and weather-related shenanigans; some silly flirting with the hunky park rangers; and some drama arising from the fact that even nice Mormon girls can be total b-words. But Nelson doesn’t indulge much in stereotypes (which would be antithetical to the film’s message of being kind to everyone regardless of differences), instead mining good-natured laughs from simple character conflicts.
More importantly, Nelson and his cast give the movie an abundance of heart. Lane and Phoebe’s parallel heartaches help them bond, while Bree comes to grips with the insecurities that fuel her quest for excellence. All of the girls (some of them young adults, actually) give authentic, charming performances, in particular Paris Warner and Mila Smith in the crucial roles of sad, vulnerable Lane and Phoebe. Your heart goes out to them immediately, and you root for their happiness. Barta Heiner, a veteran of Utah stage and screen and a beloved fixture in the BYU theater department, brings additional lump-in-the-throat goodness to Nedra Rockwell.
Some vaguely spiritual lessons are learned as the girls and their leaders face trials of faith, but the movie isn’t interested in proselytizing, and what religious elements are included aren’t unique to Mormonism. (You’ll hear a couple of prayers that could have come out of any Christian mouth.) The real point is to show young people forming friendships and learning to be decent, and maybe to squeeze a few tears out of us along the way. The movie has an infectious optimism that, for a viewer, translates into pure joy.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2015
let me start by saying I'm a guy so girls camp would be out of the question for me. That and well I'm ever so much more than 20, so I'm not a kid by any means. While I am glad I watched it, this movie on first viewing didn't quite live up to what I expected. It is a good movie but well I expected more drama. This is a coming of age movie about a girl that spends one weekend a month bonding with her family camping. Then her dad dies and mom up and remarries a year later. She is not quite over her dad dieing so it's a big punch in the gut. Top this off with being sent to her new aunt's house (who she doesn't even know) for a month while mom goes on a honeymoon. Then she finds said aunt isn't even going to be there she is going to camp with her daughter who has issues of her own. Well to make long story short they all go to camp together. Now she finds herself with a group of strangers in the back woods an well she seems to be the only one that knows what they are doing. This movie is one of those quirky movies that grows on you. I honestly felt my first review needed to stay so I left it untouched above. That said each time I watch it I find a little something more to take away. Some people can't watch a movie over and over. I can. I've seen this movie a good 12-14 times. I've shared it with friends and family rewatching it with them. When I first watched it I gave it 4 stars now it's five because not a lot of movies can take that many watchings in a short time and not get old. This one not only didn't get old it got better. The amazing part is while it is a christian movie and touches on things of faith it's not a mormon movie or any other sect of christian belief I know about. It isn't preachy or judgemental. Just people sharing and trying to help each other lighten the load of life. That is something I can respect.
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2023
Very good actors and storyline. Really liked this movie!
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2016
A fun, wholesome camp movie for the whole family - but especially young girls. Yeah, there were some stereotypes, contrived situations and silliness, but there was also a lot of humor and heart... and some decent acting by the dramatic members of the cast. A very good mix of silliness and sadness. The production values are surprisingly high for such a low budget movie.
I'd give it 4 stars for everyone, and most 8-12 year old girls would probably give it 5..
Lane suddenly finds herself part of an LDS (Mormon) family where she agrees to accompany her new anxiety-ridden cousin to church camp. Except for some LDS-culture terms (such as 'Beehive') there is nothing particularly Mormon about this movie and it could have been about any church's Bible camp. It's a wholesome, family-value camp movie, not a religious movie. So, while I personally am a fan of Mormons, I know some people have collected some weird ideas about them, but I think it would be a tragedy if you did not let your children watch this movie based on some misguided concern. This film is delightful and for everybody. My wife and I are empty nesters and we have watched it twice and will certainly watch it again.
I don't know if Amazon will let me say this, but it's also currently available on Netflix - but I think you're kids are going to want to own it!
38 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2022
Sometimes I want to watch a movie just for the simple viewing pleasure and "Once I Was a Beehive" is that kind of movie. It's silly and contrived plot is still enjoyable to watch and best of all, I can watch it with anyone and not have to worry about something questionable or offensive in the content. A simple movie that harkens back to a simpler time.
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2021
This was an adorable film. I grew up in a small town and we didn't have girls camp, but I later went as a leader. The it was our whole stake, not just a single ward, so there were a lot more than 10 girls. But it was fun and, even though we did different things, and didn't cone across any bears, this film reminded me of that experience. The girls all played their parts perfectly. People who are not LDS may not understand some of the things, but for the most part, it's just a good, inspiring film about teenage girls who learn what it means to be "Together." Since I just watched this movie tonight, I won't be able to get that song out off y head forever!
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Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2020
Good, clean fun. Our whole family enjoyed it. It has a sweet story but is also fun. If you like "Show Offs" on BYUtv, you will get a kick out of seeing some of their cast here. That was a huge selling point for my kids!
I really appreciated that it actually had a story. It has a lot of the silly over the top girls' camp things, but it doesn't go too far (like, say "Scout Camp" did). It is quirky and makes you roll your eyes a little without making the whole experience seem stupid. There is actually a point at the end, and it's told pretty well.
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2017
Well, if you are LDS and enjoy LDS films, you'll probably enjoy this. If you are not LDS, but may have spent time in Utah, you will probably also enjoy it. If you don't fit either category, save your money and watch it on Netflix. It was better than the same tired formula as Church Ball, Singles Ward, etc, in that at least some of the characters seem real and NOT a charicature, but some of them still are. Apparently, it's not possible to make LDS films without that though. All things considered, it was a highly watchable movie--one worth seeing with the kids, or on a date, or just to feel good when you're done with the next Die Hard or Transformers movie.
Is Once I Was a Beehive Mormon?
Parents need to know that Once I Was a Beehive is a comedy about a non-Mormon teenager who goes to a Latter-day Saints summer camp. The film pokes fun at a lot of stereotypes about Mormons and shows that there's more to the campers (and all Mormons) than the preconceived notions held by the main character.
Where did they film Once I Was a Beehive?
Production and release Once I Was a Beehive was filmed in Ithaca, New York, Payson, Utah and Provo Canyon. The scenes featuring a bear were shot on location with a trained Grizzly bear named Tank hailing from Heber City, Utah's Wasatch Rocky Mountain Wildlife.
How long is Once I Was a Beehive?
1h 59mOnce I Was a Beehive / Running timenull
Who plays Mindy in Once I Was a Beehive?
Once I Was a Beehive (2015) - Kaley McCormack as Mindy - IMDb.