“My name was Salmon, like a fish; first name Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973.” A story faced with universal human experiences never to be forgotten. The Lovely Bones, written by Alice Sebold, tells the phenomenal story based on a horrific murder of a teenage girl and the challenging obstacles faced afterwards. This novel portrays the point of view of Susie Salmon as she watches the world she once lived upon, up in what she now calls “her heaven.” This bestselling novel was quickly picked up by The Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson as he turned literature into a humorous, suspenseful, adventure on the big screen!
What does heaven look like? Peter Jackson uncovers a picture of heaven as this imaginary place based on your very own dream world. This religious topic has become very controversial. Alice Sebold however, illustrates her vision of heaven through Susie’s eyes as almost boring. Susie feels helpless looking down to her old life on earth. The two contrasts really make it obvious that Jackson's film didnt want to portray or maybe understand the view point that Sebold concludes as heaven.
Peter Jackson's direction towards each character fit dead on! Mr. Harvey (Stanley Tucci), the murder of Susie Salmon played this suspensful character. The man gave off the appearence of an introverted man, a quiet yet helpless neighbor, nothing of unordinary. When it came to his big scene, the murder, Mr. Harvey's qualities matched perfect with the novel everyone seemed to be reading a few years back. Jack Salmon (Mark Walberg) the father of Susie Salmon played an excellent role. The man does a very good job of showing his love for his daughter and the agony of the unknown. The characters througout his movie were outstanding, very well matched.
It is always a challenge for directors to put in every detail in a book onto a screen. Infact is it even possible? It was a dissapointment however, to compare this Peter Jackson's famous work in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, to his O.K work given in Lovely Bones. It is taken into consideration that one who has not read this book may enjoy this movie more so than someone who has read the book. Scenes in the movie seem to jump around when comparing the book. As well as some important scenes cut out. A major flaw within this movie was the relationships formed and failed within Susie's family and friends. These connections are important to see in order to make this story more real.
As an overal opinon of this story, Peter Jackson shows an O.K attempt to create this novel a film. A dissapointment towards what the movie could have been however. Peter Jackson, gives of a negative effect of doing a good job forming this movies imaginary appearence. Unfortuently this gives off an unrealistic view.
I would give this movie a 5/10.
