You are here: Home » Movies » The Lovely Bones
Release Date 19 Feb 2010 25 Jun 2010
94% of raters want to see this movie
Certificate: 12A
Genre:
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.
Cast: Mark Wahlberg | Rachel Weisz | Susan Sarandon | Stanley Tucci | Saoirse Ronan | Michael Imperioli | Amanda Michalka | Nikki Soohoo | Rose McIver | Carolyn Dando
Writers: Alice Sebold | Peter Jackson
Producers: Carolynne Cunningham
Directors: Peter Jackson
Our critics review will be added soon.
This film is subject to plenty of harsh criticism. Based on the novel of the same name by Alice Sebold, the hype around this movie before its release was paramount; it was pushed back for many months so that the studio could release it for the Oscar season and it was being directed by Academy Award winning director Peter Jackson (Heavenly Creatures, The Lord of the Rings trilogy). Unfortunately for most people, it did not live up to the hype. It received scathing reviews from critics and general audiences responded to it with a lukewarm attitude at best. Not me. I really love this movie. I completely understand and accept all (well, most) of Mr. Jackson's intentions and choices with regards to "The Lovely Bones." However, I can see the huge flaws that others find within the film, they just don't bother me that much because I believe when this movie is good, it's amazing and when bad. simply varies from silly to eye-rolling, but never terrible. Set in the 70's "The Lovely Bones" tells the story of Susie Salmon (Saoirse Ronan), a 14 year old girl who is murdered by her neighbour, Mr. Harvey (Stanley Tucci). Following her murder, Susie watches over her family (and murderer) from "the in-between" during their time of grief while they try and figure out what happened to her. In the end, Susie must choose between vengeance against her murderer or for her family to be able to heal and move on. Undeniably an interesting synopsis, but was the end product well executed? I'm in the vast minority when I say yes, I think this film was more than well executed. The acting talent here really is just top notch. How Saoirse Ronan didn't manage to get an Oscar nomination for her performance perplexes me. She was so amazing in this film and really put everything she had into it. Stanley Tucci did manage to get a nomination in the Best Supporting Actor category (the only Oscar nomination this film was able to garner) and it was totally deserved. Mr. Tucci completely transformed himself and disappeared into the role of Mr. Harvey and I'm sure that if the buzz around Christoph Waltz for "Inglourious Basterds" hadn't been so strong in the same category, Stanley would have walked away with the statuette. Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon and Rose McIvor round off the rest of the supporting cast and all give fine performances, though none of them really get enough screentime. The movie's main focus is on Susie and her journey so unfortunately, other characters get somewhat sidelined. Susie's in-between is (for the most part) an amazing and trippy visual feast that truly demonstrates that WETA Digital really has no boundaries with what they can create. For many people, the in-between was a self indulgent mess on Jackson's part. For me, I thought it perfectly balanced Susie's state of mind with the visual poetry the director was going for. Everything in the in-between is there for a reason, not just to look pretty. Many people didn't seem to understand that the in-between is also representative of Susie's imagination, her interests and feelings. It's not just supposed to be a general heaven occupied by everyone who has died. It is a personal space for Susie. Another thing a lot of people seem to have agripe with is the ending, which I'm not going to spoil in case you haven't yet seen the movie. I will say though, that it's not the conventional happy ending you see in most Hollywood dramas. It's a pretty risky ending and I guess the risk didn't exactly pay off for Jackson. I, however, loved the ending, apart from a really tiny detail involving a safe that I'm willing to overlook. I think the ending was an emotionally charged last act that showed Susie's development as a character in the most perfect way. I would also like to mention the soundtrack and score by Brian Eno. I really loved it. Serious and dramatic when it needed to be while also being other-worldly and beautifully haunting. As well, the 1970's setting was absolutely perfect. The film crew really outdid themselves to make sure the viewer felt they were genuinely watching a drama that was unfolding during this decade. Props to everyone involved. So yes, "The Lovely Bones" is undeniably flawed, but not enough to justify the amount of hate it gets by both critics and audiences alike. It's a fascinating and unique journey deftly directed by Jackson and superbly performed by Saoirse Ronan.
I can’t believe I actually didn’t see The Lovely Bones before it aired on TV. I had the intention of seeing it in the cinema and certainly some of the effects are worthy of the big screen as they looked amazing on my 32” screen at home. The cast is perfectly cast, each giving their all in this emotive film, lead powerfully by Ireland’s own Saoirse Ronan who portrays the victim perfectly from our introduction to the shy schoolgirl with the crush on the English senior to the girl who refuses to let go of the Earth before her family is ready. Stanley Tucci as the suitably creepy killer and Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weiss as the distraught parents are also well worth a mention. Peter Jackson once again proves he is the master of incorporating the fantastical in to his films as the Weta workshop once again done themselves proud with spectacular special effects sequences. I would highly recommend this movie, it’s got suspense, drama, emotion and stunning effects, so something for everyone essentially.
Weird and sort of wonderful. Intense at times and a very good performance by Ronan. Worth watching!
I love this movie. Fantasy meets murder mystery! I read the book before I'd actually seen the film, which I thought would be a complete turn off but alas, it was really well done. Good movie.
Suprisingly good, very very trippy. But definitely worth a look
I loved the book and I felt the same about the film. Stanely Tucci just amazes , easily one of the most versatile actors of the last ten years. Rachel Weisz is perfect , allthough I would have preferred the parents to be a bit older. Susan Sarandon was amazing! Great plot , lovely visuals and soundtrack is great (especially Alice by the Cocteau Twins)
Go read the book, genuinely moving and well written. This is very good, but lacks heart. Well it has Mark Wahlberg in it so there you go.
I was disappointed with this movie! I hadn't read the book or anything, but, actaully, it was Marky Mark that ruined it for me! There... that's all I can say on it! :(
I haven't read the book but I thoroughly enjoyed the film. A captivating look at life and the afterlife.
Page 1 of 5 1 2 3 4 5 »
3
2
4
Movies abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0-9
About Movies.ieContact usDisclaimer (c) Movies.ie 2012 | Designed By Fruit