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Based on Alice Sebold’s award-winning and best-selling novel which happened to catch the
attention of one of the most gifted directors around in New Zealand’s very own Peter
Jackson, The Lovely Bones tells the story of 14 year old suburban girl Susie Salmon (Saoirse
Ronan) who, before she can even experience her first kiss with boyfriend Ray (Reece
Ritchie), has her life cut short when she is raped and murdered. While her body is never
found, Susie’s soul is stuck in between Heaven and Earth, left to watch the devastating
effect her death has on her loving parents Abigail (Rachel Weisz), Jack (Mark Wahlberg) and
their marriage and on her younger sister Lindsey (Rose McIver). Meanwhile her killer, George
Harvey (Stanley Tucci) who lives in the same neighbourhood just a few houses down, is
beginning to think about doing the same things to Lindsey.
Jackson who made a name for himself by bringing to life one of the most epic fantasy novels
ever written in J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy has once again managed to
‘whoa-over’ his fans with cinematography filled with mind-boggling and stunning visual
effects. The plot to the film is reasonably solid, but not so much new or fresh as once again
we are handed another child predator meets child, kills child, body never found scenario. But
then taking into consideration that this is a modern day film that is meant to look like it’s
set back in the early 70’s, Jackson has managed some visually stunning work.
Apart from the visual effects and mildly disturbing storyline, the main thing that honestly
really put me on edge was the performance that actor Stanley Tucci (playing the role of the
serial child murder/neighbor) delivered. It was in the way he carried his character, bringing
forth a number of emotions throughout the film, constantly gulping and licking his lips, from
dark shadows or behind a dense bush in the distance.
I quite often felt creeped out, even sick to my stomach only to then be struck by the sudden
awareness that just the simple act of playing in the front yard or out on the street can
mean a child is not safe as a sexual predator could be nearby, watching.
Apart from the unsettling and eerie performance by Tucci, actor Mark Wahlberg has
managed to pull off a remarkable performance leaving the viewer feeling admiration as he
plays a gentle, loving and concerned father who is full of heartache and pain demanding
justice for his little girl. Wahlberg once again shows that he can pretty much mould himself
into any role from the late 70’s and 80’s era, like Boogie Nights (1997) as porn-star Dirk
Diggler, Rockstar (2001), Invincible (2006) and now you can add The Lovely Bones to
that list.
Actress Saoirse Ronan without a doubt has a passion for acting. Jackson was so impressed by
her audition tape he offered her the leading role before even meeting her in person. At the
early age of 13, Ronan has managed to be nominated for a number of Awards for her role in
Atonement (2007). Ronan’s performance in The Lovely Bones, put simply, was the icing
on the cake. There are (hopefully) no boundaries holding this remarkably beautiful young
actress back from reaching her full potential to become an incredible superstar as she slowly
matures. Fingers crossed that Ronan lands the right roles in the right films by directors like
Peter Jackson, who are willing to take chances with such a gifted actress.
The Lovely Bones is a film that will definitely blow you away when it comes to the
cinematography and emboldened and entertaining storyline. It will stir up a cocktail of mixed
emotions while allowing the viewer to catch a quick glimpse into the afterlife complete with
stunning visual effects. For those of you who happened to of missed Peter Jackson’s The
Lovely Bones which opened in theatres throughout Australia from the 1st of January 2010,
make sure you check it out on DVD with a loved one next time.
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