The Lovely Bones

4 stars

Rating: PG
Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci, Saoirse Ronan

What's the story?
Fourteen-year-old Susie Salmon (Ronan), walking home late after film club, is lured by her neighbour into a newly built clubhouse. After Susie’s brutal murder, her father (Wahlberg) becomes increasingly obsessed with finding her murderer, while her mother leaves the family in order to cope. While observing the daily lives of her family and murderer from her personal heaven, Susie realizes she must come to terms with her death, finding balance between wanting revenge and the healing of her newly disjointed family.

Why See it?
Critically acclaimed director Peter Jackson has created graphics that successfully manage to capture the ethereal aspects of Susie’s “in-between” world. Saoirse Ronan also manages to portray Susie effortlessly while building a connection with the audience.

Problems?
Despite the wonderful graphics of Susie’s “in-between” world, Jackson seems to have missed the mark when portraying heaven. It is a vast open space, but considering the previous world, seems to be somewhat dull. The film also lacks that certain quality of emotion that connected the book to readers.

All in all:
A movie adaptation that keeps the suspense, but lacks emotion.