Based on the award-winning and best-selling 2002 novel of the same name by Alice Sebold, ‘The Lovely Bones’ is a remarkable, moving and ambitious movie that I found absolutely enthralling. And in a movie which confronts two worlds divided – the world of the living and the world of the dead, division has been strong amongst critics who either love or hate this film. There seems to be very little middle ground. And I find that incredibly puzzling. Granted, a movie is never going to fully capture the depth and intensity of any book – particularly one that is based on author Sebold’s own personal tragedy of being raped by a rapist whose previous victim had died. Heavy stuff!
There are some amazing performances on offer here, Stanley Tucci as the murderous George Harvey is unsettling, disturbing and creepy beyond belief. Saoirse Ronan, as Susie Salmon, is positively enchanting and puts in a mesmerising performance throughout. A stellar support cast featuring Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon and Sopranos’ star Michael Imperioli round things off in a movie that also features a musical score by Brian Eno.
Directed by Peter Jackson, who returns to the ‘suburban murder’ schtick after a lengthy absence – (he directed ‘Heavenly Creatures’ in 1994 – a film about two homicidal girls) and deals with an afterlife devoid of any religious overtones (thank fuck for that!) – but an afterlife as interpreted by a young teenage girl. Fanciful, free and confusing – just like teenage life itself.
Critics of the film have commented that the movie is ‘scared’ to look the horror in the face and skips the gory details of the rape, murder and subsequent dismemberment. But do we really need to see that? No we don’t. The horror is all there, permeating under the surface and brimming with sadness and pain as the family splinters into mourning and Susie is left wandering the afterlife looking for some sort of peace – and vengeance.
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