Writer/Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Stanley Tucci and Mark Wahlberg
‘A Beautiful Adaptation’
Few actresses in Hollywood have achieved the appreciation of Saoirse Ronan. Following her rise to stardom during the 2000’s, Ronan has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s feminist writers, troubled teenagers or victims of child abduction, Ronan has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Ronan’s strength as an actress has always been her bravery. She has always been one of those actresses which is not afraid of taking risks in her career. Ronan’s willingness to take risks has resulted in movies which are enduring. Through her capability to depict characters that prove to be compelling, Ronan has created a lasting which is lasting. Shining a bright light in darkness, Ronan has become an icon in the entertainment business. Throughout her prosperous career, Ronan has created many unforgettable movies discussing bold themes that are definitely without a doubt worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Ronan and adore all the films she has made throughout an illustrious career. However, “The Lovely Bones” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 2009, Peter Jackson’s movie has stood the test of time as a literature classic. Packed with breathtaking production, powerful storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best literary adaptations ever made. At the centre of it all is an outstanding performance by Saoirse Ronan, who embodies a teenage girl that becomes the victim of child abduction. Ultimately, what makes “The Lovely Bones” a lovely literary classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about childhood abduction that would resonate with everyone. Although “Lovely Bones” is a strong adaptation, ultimately it isn’t a flawless movie. It suffers from an uneven pace which tests the viewer’s patience. Nevertheless, it offers bold entertainment that fans of Saoirse Ronan will not be able to resist.
Based on the iconic book, “The Lovely Bones” tells the story of a young girl that becomes a victim of child abduction. Saoirse Ronan plays Susie Salmon, a precocious teenage girl which has bright dreams for the future. Susie dreams of building a stable life with her family seeking to ask out a crush in school which she fancies. However, Susie’s life changes when she turns into the victim of a gruesome murder. After her tragic death, Susie watches over her terrifying killer (Stanley Tucci) from Heaven. Faced with a dilemma, Susie questions whether her family would ever be able to recover from a traumatic death causing trauma. As all the odds become stacked against her favour, Susie questions if she will ever be able to move on from a tragic murder. As her bones are turned in something far from lovely, Susie questions if she would recover from tragedies.
Peter Jackson is a newcomer towards themes of child abduction. Before he had made “The Lovely Bones”, Jackson had never produced a literary adaptation before. It was the director’s first attempt to adapt a celebrated book about child abduction but he succeeded immensely. Through incredible cinematography, Jackson captures an adolescent girl that embarks on a journey to find her identity. Visually, the film is a stunning feast for the eyes. Jackson expertly uses dim lighting to capture an adolescent girl that becomes a victim of child abduction that is terrifying. For instance, dim lighting elevates the child abduction scene. During this intense scene, Susie becomes the victim of a case of child abduction causing despair. One admires dim lighting capturing an uncomfortable case of child abduction. Low-key lightning is a tricky technique to use in movies. As David Fincher’s “Se7en” suggested, low-key lighting elevates films about serial killers. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through spellbinding visuals, Jackson conveys child abductions that are frightening.
Another phenomenal aspect of “The Lovely Bones” worth discussing is the production. Jackson does an incredible job of capturing the dangers of child abduction through bold production. Throughout the movie, Jackson effectively uses the location of a small town neighbourhood to capture a terrifying case of child abduction. Inspired by Denis Villeneuve’s “Prisoners”, Jackson effectively uses neighbourhood locations to capture child abductions. For instance, the location of the small neighbourhood enhances the murder investigation scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Susie’s parents discover the shocking news of her painful murder. One appreciates the real-life locations capturing the backdrop of child abduction. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Brian Eno’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the burden that teenage girls bear. Through strong production-design, Jackson celebrates a legendary book about teenage girls whose lives experience a decline.
Storytelling is one of the key reasons why “The Lonely Bones” is a captivating adaptation that is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses voice-over narration that captures a teenage girl that reflects on her life following her death. Jackson’s finest strength as a screenwriter is his abilities to capture the lives of teenage girls that reflect on their past lives following death by narration. Throughout the movie, Susie reflects on her worldviews on life using meaningful voice-over narration. For instance, voice-over narration enhances the opening scene. During this memorable scene, Susie introduced audiences to her joyous life before her tragic death. One appreciates voice over narration capturing a teenage girl seeking reflection. Voice-over narration isn’t a simple technique to use in films. As Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas” suggested, voice-over narration enhances gangster movies. Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption” suggested that narration suits commemorated prison dramas. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through an extraordinary screenplay, Jackson celebrates a legendary book about abductions with a price to pay.
One admires astonishing performances.
Saorise Ronan delivers one of her greatest career performances as Susie. Ronan first gained recognition for playing teenage girls spreading lies in literary adaptations. With “The Lovely Bones”, however, she took on her first most emotional role. It isn’t easy to play a teenage girl that becomes the victim of a painful child abduction, but she succeeds tremendously. This is the actress unlike you have seen her before: intense, emotional and vulnerable in her most memorable role. With riveting expressions, she captures the angst, depression and loneliness of a teenage girl that becomes the sad victim of a frightening child abduction. It’s a powerful performance from one of the greatest actresses working in Hollywood today.
Stanley Tucci is spectacular as a serial killer that commits child abductions which cause catastrophe. Tucci is one of those stars that has always succeeded at portraying likeable heroes with sympathetic personalities. With “The Lovely Bones”, however, the actor took steps out of his comfort zone by portraying a sadistic serial killer. It’s a role which gave the actor a chance to showcase a menacing side to himself audiences hadn’t seen in the past before. Whether he is luring a child into a trap of abduction or acting normal around police officers to avoid attracting suspicion, Tucci effectively uses his expressions to capture a serial killer. It’s a bold performance from one of the greatest actors working in the film industry today.
The supporting cast is sensational and also worthy of appreciation. Mark Wahlberg is magnificent, capturing the despair of a father that cannot cope with grief when his child vanishes out of thin air. Rachel Weisz is riveting, bringing humanity to a mother struggling to cope with a loss which is frightening. Lastly, Susan Sarandon merits appreciation. As Susie’s grandmother, she brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Despite its strong performances, however, “The Lovely Bones” can’t entirely honour the legacy of a book that’s lovely. If there’s a minor drawback to the movie, it suffers from uneven pacing. Jackson’s decisions to integrate subplots about the afterlife into the movie is bold and innovative but doesn’t entirely succeed. Due to this faulty technique, scenes capturing Susie’s fantastical journey into the afterlife aren’t as engaging as her life on Earth. While these scenes felt appropriate in the book, they clash with the realistic tone of the movie. Movies about child abduction thrive based on their realism, and in this regard, “The Lovely Bones” falls short of expectations.
Nevertheless, fans of Saoirse Ronan will definitely appreciate “The Lovely Bones” and so will movie-goers seeking heartbreaking entertainment.
Nearly 25 years following the publication of a groundbreaking book about teenage girls that become the victims of child abductions which are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary actress that has gained a huge following earning worldwide recognition through her abilities to portray larger-than-life characters which are compelling whose unforgettable movies are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 