Movie Review: The Lovely Bones

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Peter Jackson proved his fantastic storytelling and directing ability with The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Now the accomplished director/writer/producer is back in familiar, although not similar territory , with The Lovely Bones. Before he helmed the fantasy classics penned by J.R.R. Tolkien, Jackson directed Heavenly Creatures, a tale of obsession and murder back in 1994. No stranger to conveying the dark side of man or women for that matter, Jackson brings us yet another tragic tale involving one Susie –last-name-like-the-fish- Salmon. Murdered at the age of 14 on December 6th, 1973.

Based off the novel written by Alice Sebold of the same name, Susie’s death and the identity of the person who killed her is revealed in the opening act. (Note: See if you can spot Tucci who portrays the evil George Harvey in the opening sequence at the mall) From this point forward, we the viewer learn how a family can deteriorate after the loss of a child. Susie’s mother, played wonderfully by Rachel Weisz, is so wrought with grief she leaves the household. Whereas the father, well acted by Mark Walberg, becomes obsessed with finding his daughters murderer.

Grandma Lynn, portrayed by Susan Sarandon whom I will mention again later, responds, as any grandmother would react, she storms into the Salmon household and attempts to hold the crumbling family together. While all of this is going on, Susie (Saoirse Ronan) is stuck in the ‘in between”, a plain where souls remain until they let go of earthly ties. But Susie refuses to do this. Set on revenge, she wants her killer to be discovered and punished for his actions; actions that prevented the fourteen-year-old from experiencing her first kiss and becoming a wildlife photographer.

With this real and heart breaking performance, perfectly executed by Ronan, (Atonement) we cannot help but be drawn into Susie’s pain and thanks to the superb direction of Peter Jackson, we watch anxiously for the evil Harvey to be brought to justice.

Although the screenplay is missing a few elements from the novel, (mainly the deterioration of the Salmon marriage) Jackson maintains the overall essence of Sebold’s bestselling book. In addition, he imagines a magnificent heaven, filled with vibrant colors and imagery. But one wouldn’t expect anything less from the man who brought us the groundbreaking Gollum and Treebeard.

The casting is also impressive. Tucci plays creepy very well making the villain in this story all the more terrifying. But it’s Sarandon who nearly steals the spotlight from all with her hilarious portrayal of alcoholic Grandma Lynn.

One last positive to mention, is the well-directed scene involving Susie’s sister (Rose McIver). Reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock, it will have you on the edge of your seat.

The Lovely Bones opens nation wide January 15th. I recommend you see it.