Take 5: The Lovely Bones

The Lovely Bones is a film adaptation of the novel of the same name by Alice Sebold. I read the book in 2003.  Look ma, I can read.  So by now I'd forgotten much of the detail except I did enjoy the book.  The movie has Peter Jackson, Lord of the Rings Trilogy, as director.  Should be worth the view, right?

Not according to the review in my local paper, the Daily Breeze.  Fine.  I'll save it for DVD or TV.  Then along comes Stanley Tucci nominated (sadly did not win) for his role in this film by the Hollywood Foreign Press and the Screen Actors Guild.  I have long been a Tucci fan.  I enjoy how he seems to be able to recreate himself anew for a plethora of roles. So...

I was pleasantly surprised and entertained.  Also, a little creeped out, which I imagine is an intention of the film makers.  Part of it was on me.  I did the math and realized that on December 6, 1973, I, too, was 14 years old.  If you are reading this review, you may be thinking too bad it wasn't me who had a similar fate.  I know.  My readers are not that cruel.  The homes very much reminded me of the house my family owned and lived in Massachusetts around that time.  The part of the movie when the sister breaks into Stanley Tucci's character, George Harvey's, home, well, let's just say my heart was racing.

I'm thinking of coming up with some sort of rating system based on "blah".  The more "blahs" I give a movie, the more (in my opinion) it is worth seeing and talking about.  Until then, I am happy I watched this movie.

I also would like to quickly mention that I note many wondering if this movie is too violent or too much sex, etc.  I don't feel I am too desensitized to violence and the like.  In fact, I usually need to look away if it is blatantly portrayed in a film.  Most of the violence in this film is implied and not shown.

Movie 411:

Movie:  The Lovely Bones

Screenplay Writer:  Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson

Director:  Peter Jackson

Film Editor:  Jabez Olssen

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.

Cast (top 3 listed from IMDB, click here to see more):  Saoirse Ronan, Stanley Tucci, Mark Wahlberg