The Lovely Bones (2009)

Director:

Peter Jackson

Writers (WGA):

Fran Walsh (screenplay) &
Philippa Boyens (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

15 January 2010 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Fantasy | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

The story of a life and everything that came after...

Plot:

Centers on a young girl who has been murdered and watches over her family - and her killer - from heaven. She must weigh her desire for vengeance against her desire for her family to heal.

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Afterlife | Rape | Dead Child | Funeral

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 9 nominations

Cast

Mark Wahlberg	...	Jack Salmon
Stanley Tucci	...	George Harvey
Rachel Weisz	...	Abigail Salmon
Saoirse Ronan	...	Susie Salmon
Susan Sarandon	...	Grandma Lynn
Amanda Michalka	...	Clarissa
Michael Imperioli	...	Len Fenerman
Jake Abel	...	Brian Nelson
Rose McIver	...	Lindsey Salmon
Reece Ritchie	...	Ray Singh
Thomas McCarthy	...	Principal Caden
Nikki SooHoo	...	Holly
Carolyn Dando	...	Ruth
Andrew James Allen	...	Samuel Heckler
Anna George	...	Mrs. Singh
Charlie Saxton	...	Ronald Drake
Christian Thomas Ashdale	...	Buckley Salmon
Robyn Malcolm	...	Foremans Wife
Stink Fisher	...	Mr. Connors
Stefania Owen	...	Flora Hernandez
Bravo	...	Holiday - Dog
Steven Moreti	...	Diner Customer
Tina Graham	...	Sophie Cichetti
Seth F. Miller	...	Soccer Coach

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material involving disturbing violent content and images, and some language.

Runtime:

135 min

Country:

USA | UK | New Zealand

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Japan:G | UK:12A | Ireland:15A

Filming Locations:

Camperdown Studios, Camperdown Road, Miramar, Wellington, New Zealand

Company:

WingNut Films

Trivia:

The school that Susie attends is based on General Wayne Middle School in Malvern, Pennsylvania (now known as General Wayne Elementary School), which Alice Sebold attended in the 1970s.

Quotes:

Susie Salmon: I was sleeping away, that's what it felt like, life was leaving me, but I wasn't afraid; then I remembered: "There was something i was meant to do; somewhere I was meant to be."

Movie Connections:

Featured in "The Paul O'Grady Show: (2009-11-27)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Alice

Subtle.

PJ has made a movie that requires some emotional buy in but returns it with interest. This is the first movie in a very long time where I actually care what happens to the characters. Not just the lead but the whole family, even the villain… I care how their stories are resolved or not resolved.

There is so much big and obvious stuff happening up front it is easy to miss the subtlety that runs beneath, so much that is implied rather than spelt out. It really hard to talk about without using spoilers (might do another post with spoilers) but trust me there is a lot more to this movie than meets the eye candy.

If you are a relaxed film watcher that likes everything handed to you on a plate underlined with heavy handed dialog and massive visual cues then you will only get half of this movie… and you still might enjoy it.

If you are the type of movie watcher that doesn't mind working a little, reading a lot from inferences, pick up the tonal shifts and can see past the big CGI scenes and see them for what they are (a device to show Susie as small vulnerable and in jeopardy even though she is dead) then you are going to get a lot out of this movie… and really enjoy it.