The Lovely Bones (HBO)

About The Lovely Bones (HBO)

Directed by Peter Jackson, "The Lovely Bones" (2009) is a gripping film adaptation of Alice Sebold's 2002 novel. The film combines elements of supernatural drama and suspense to narrate the story of a teenage girl murdered in her neighborhood. The plot thickens as she watches over her family and killer from a fantastically stylized version of the afterlife.

Making / Production

Peter Jackson, who had earlier gained a stellar reputation with the Lord of the Rings series, directed the movie. Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens wrote the screenplay. The film utilized special effects, combined with the inherent suspense of the storyline, to create a unique blend of reality and fantasy.

Actors

• Mark Wahlberg as Jack Salmon: The father of the murdered girl, he gave a heart-rending portrayal of sheer grief and determination.

• Rachel Weisz as Abigail Salmon: Her commendable performance embodied a mother's devastation and loosening grasp on her family's reality.

• Saoirse Ronan as Susie Salmon: As the victim and main character, Ronan delivered a fantastic performance beyond her years, alternating between solemnity and innocence.

• Stanley Tucci as George Harvey: As the murderer, Tucci brilliantly portrayed the sinister yet ordinary persona of a predator hiding in plain sight.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The director of the film, Peter Jackson, makes a cameo in the film as a man with a movie camera.

• Although primarily filmed in Pennsylvania, some scenes were shot in New Zealand, the director's home country.

• The voiceover of Susie Salmon is heavily featured in the narrative, staying true to the novel's first-person narrative style.

Awards

While the movie generated mixed reviews from critics, Stanley Tucci's performance was universally praised and earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Quotes

• "I was fourteen years old when I was murdered on December 6, 1973." - Susie Salmon

• "There wasn't a lot that made sense, but remembering her, that made sense." - Jack Salmon

• "She became the still point of the turning world." - George Harvey

Music, Soundtrack

• Brian Eno composed and provided additional music for the film, bringing a unique audio landscape to the movie.

• The film did not get an official soundtrack release, but it did feature songs from artists such as The Hollies and Cocteau Twins.

• "Song to the Siren" by This Mortal Coil dramatically underscored a key scene in the movie.