From Academy Award winning director Peter Jackson comes the extraordinary story about one girl’s life, and everything that came after. When 14-year-old Susie Salmon was murdered, she left her unfinished life behind. But now from her place in a strange but beautiful in-between world, she must help her father catch her killer and protect her family before she can finally move on. Filled with thrilling suspense, hope and the redeeming power of love, it’s “One of the best films of the year. Incredibly powerful.” – Harry Knowles, Ain’t it Cool NewsDirector Peter Jackson takes a personal, risky leap in his direction of the film version of Alice Sebold’s bestselling novel The Lovely Bones. Yet the leap pays off, in emotional depth and riveting visuals that transport the viewer to other worlds–even ones the viewer may not want to visit. The Lovely Bones is lofted by its star-making performance by the young Saoirse Ronan (Atonement), who plays Susie Salmon, the 14-year-old girl who is murdered early in the film, and who narrates the action from her “in-between place” after dying but before going to heaven. Ronan makes Susie as earthy and awkward as any young teen, yet her presence, and her gorgeous pale eyes, remind viewers that she’s otherworldly too. The Lovely Bones takes some big departures from the book, as many critics have pointed out, but it works well on its own merits. The drama involves how (even whether) Susie’s family will recover after her ghastly murder, and what happens to her killer and the futile-seeming search for justice and closure. The entire cast is stellar, including Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz as Susie’s nearly destroyed parents; the composed young New Zealand actress Rose McIver, who plays Susie’s younger sister, whom Susie watches grow up to be the young woman that Susie will never get to be; and Susan Sarandon, the boozy, wisecracking grandmother who may or may not be able to help keep the family from splintering into a million pieces. The other true standout is Stanley Tucci, almost unrecognizable as the quiet, creepy neighbor who kills Susie, obsessing over every detail and perhaps having left a whole trail of gruesome murders in his shambling wake. Jackson’s deft direction keeps the mourning humans moving along believably, numbly, and gives breathtaking life to the afterlife, in scenes of fantasy and dread that recall his Heavenly Creatures. The film is rated PG-13 but is not recommended for younger teenagers because of its intense subject matter, though handled delicately. –A.T. Hurley
Stills from The Lovely Bones (Click for larger image)
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Buy “The Lovely Bones” For Only $18.99
January 23, 2006
#1
Peter Jackson should know better. When you die, that is it. No CGI heaven or in-between, nothing. So please everybody, stop making movies about this subject, unless they are comedies and they sport Warren Beatty, are directed by Albert Brooks, or have the Archers seal on them. This tale is not suspenseful, nor rewarding. We are not children living in the 13th Century, so I don’t understand the necessity of a graphical representation of a supposed afterlife of sorts. Sheesh. Two points for inspired visuals and the first 20 minutes.
January 23, 2006
#2
If you ever get a chance to see Peter Jackson’s adaptation of THE LOVELY BONES, run like there is a murderous pedophile chasing you. This is one of the most obvious, insipid, moronic pieces of unbearably manipulative garbage ever to defile a reel of celluloid. Peter Jackson directs actors like an alien from another planet who is encountering the human species for the first time and being forced to imitate them on the same day. A really overproduced, undercooked mess.
You have been warned!
January 23, 2006
#3
The movie is boring, condescending, drawn out, choppy, and painful to watch. I’ve heard the book is amazing so I suggest reading it instead.
January 23, 2006
#4
Okay if you don’t have even the slightest imagination don’t go see it…this movie is a gem reserved for those who love to think outside of the box and really put yourself in someone else’s shoes. I found myself holding my breath not wanting to even breathe for fear of missing the moment, to take in the scenes (and there are so many amazing ones). This movie had scenes that really touched my heart and if you really stop to think about the symbolism you will appreciate Peter Jackson’s work! And let me just say Peter Jackson is amazing he was diligent in paying attention to details, like the way he angled the camera putting you in the mind and shoes of a 14 year old girl, the magnifying effect was just so heart palpitating…the usage of sound making things magnified 10xs to put you in that state of fear and the unknowing. It was just crushing seeing how much Suzie just wanted to get home (what 14 yr old…heck any age…doesn’t want to be safe with home and family?) The direction was great at letting the viewer sense the overwhelming WANT of a little girl’s defiance to leave her family, friends and everything she loves and wanted to accomplish because some MAN got an itch to do atrocious things to little girls. Every child molester should watch this movie to get a different perspective (the victim’s perspective) This movie really helps you value life and be thankful there is still time for you…so do things you wanted to! Do things you love and care about! And do yourself a favor…WATCH THE MOVIE! I guarantee everyone will come out feeling SOMETHING and if not than you are probably heartless and have no imagination and that being the case I feel sorry for you, sorry that you aren’t even LIVING life! You can tell a good movie if you still wanna check out and read the book after seeing the film! I went out and bought it next day and can’t put it down!
January 23, 2006
#5
“The Lovely Bones” is great! This is how the story goes: Susie Salmon, a young girl who has been murdered, watches over her family — and her killer — from heaven. She must weigh her desire for vengeance against her desire for her family to heal.
The cast led by Mark Wahlberg (as Jack Salmon), Rachel Weisz (as Abigail Salmon), Susan Sarandon (as Grandma Lynn), Stanley Tucci (as George Harvey) & Saoirse Ronan (in a impressive performance as Susie Salmon) is excellent! The directing by Peter Jackson (who also wrote the screenplay & produced) (who also directed “Heavenly Creatures” (1994, also wrote the screenplay & co-produced), “The Frighteners” (1996, also wrote the story & screenplay & produced), “The Lord Of The Rings” trilogy (2001, 2002, & 2003, also wrote the screenplays and produced) & “King Kong” (2005, also wrote the screenplay and produced), he also produced “District 9″ (2009) is excellent! The screenplay (based on Alice Sebold’s novel) by Jackson, Fran Walsh (also produced) (she was an associate producer & also wrote the screenplay to “The Frighteners”, she also wrote the screenplay to “Heavenly Creatures”, she also produced “King Kong” & “The Lord Of The Rings” trilogy & Philippa Boyens (also co-produced) (both also wrote the screenplay to “King Kong” & “The Lord Of The Rings” trilogy), (she also co-produced “King Kong” & “District 9″) is excellent!
The music by Brian Eno (who also did the music to “The Jacket” (2005) is excellent! The cinematography by Andrew Lesnie (who also did the cinematography to “The Lord Of The Rings” trilogy, “King Kong”, “I Am Legend” (2007) & the upcoming “The Last Airbender” (2010) is excellent! The film editing by Jabez Olssen (who also did additional editing to “King Kong” & “The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring” (2001) & “The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers” (2002) is excellent! The casting by Scot Boland, Victoria Burrows (both also did the casting to “A Christmas Carol” (2009), Jina Jay (who also did the casting to “The Reader” (2008) & “Atonement” (2007, which also starred Ronan), Avy Kaufman (who also did the casting to “Brothers” (2009) & the upcoming “Welcome To The Rileys” (2010) & Liz Mullane (who also did the casting to “King Kong” & “The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian” (2008) is excellent! The production design by Naomi Shohan (who also did the production design to “I Am Legend” & the upcoming “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” (2010) is excellent! The art direction by Jules Cook (who also did the art direction to “The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe” (2005), senior art director on “The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian”) & Chris Shriver (who also did the art direction to “Inside Man” (2006) & “The Village” (2004) is excellent! The set decoration by George DeTitta Jr. (who also did the set decoration to “Inside Man”, “I Am Legend” & the upcoming “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”) & Meg Everist (who also did the set decoration to “We Are Marshall” (2006) is excellent! The costume design by Nancy Steiner (who also did the costume design to “Funny People” (2009) is excellent!
This is an great, heartwrenching and effective drama that keeps you thinking and gets under your skin at its very core. This is a very different film for Peter Jackson. It has effective performances all around.