The Lovely Bones Movie
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First and foremost I would like to say that I read the book The lovely Bones a couple of years ago and found it to be heart wrenching and an amazing masterpiece of a story. The book is about a young 14 year old girl who is murdered by a creepy neighbor and she narrates from heaven her thoughts on life, death and how her family is coping with her death. She is also trying to bring clues to her family about who murdered her. The murder itself makes you feel incensed because the girl, her name is Susie Salmon played by (Saoirse Ronan) is just becoming a young woman and she is only just finding the pleasure of having crushes, going to the mall with friends and getting into photography which plays a key role in finding the murderer in the book.
My thoughts are if you haven’t seen the movie, then read the book first because there is so many things lost in the movie that you will find in the book. Of course books are almost always better and this movie fails so miserably compared to the book. The book goes into so much detail and takes you into the direction that the author wants you to go, you get the sense of how much time has passed and Susie narrates the story from heaven so well. The description that she gives of heaven is also so fascinating and intriguing that you get lost in the book.
The movie done by Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, is aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, but they go overboard in trying to represent heaven, and fall short. The cinematography is fantastic in the film, especially when you take into account the thought that went into describing a young girl in-between heaven and Earth, but what falls short is the story line. It just doesn’t match up to the book and it almost seems like a totally different story after all is said and done.
Saoirse Ronan is definitely the star of the movie and without her it would have been a total disaster. She played her part better than any actor out there today in her age range. I believe that she has a brilliant future ahead of her in spite of this movie.
Stanley Tucci does a fine job as the creepy neighbor and you almost know from the get go that it is him. Rachel Weisz plays the mother who seems very disconnected to all her children. And Mark Wahlberg plays the father, and honestly I don’t know how they did it but they managed to coax a convincing performance from him, which must have been hard to do since he is almost robotic in most of his movies and you can imagine him reading cue cards in most flicks that I have seen him in. Yes he is easy on the eyes, but in most movies he makes me cringe. This was his best performance to date in my opinion.
Susan Sarandon is also in the movie in a small part as the grandmother, she is pretty forgettable in this movie and honestly doesn’t offer anything to the plot of the movie or to any of the scenes. Her performance is irrelevant to say the least.
There is so much promise in this movie, especially for those that read the book, watching all the retro clothes and David Cassidy posters on her bedroom wall was a nice touch to the film but still wasn’t enough to save the film. I wish that I could recommend it more but I definitely recommend the book instead, you will not be sorry. And who knows, this is just my opinion, you may like the movie, I am just not as forgiving and tolerant about taking certain liberties with movies. I definitely think that Alice Sebold, the author of Lovely Bones is probably very disappointed as well. If I had written this book, I would have felt so disappointed.
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Kowality thanks for reading my hub and I wasnt trying to trash the film, I just thought that they tried too hard maybe, I dont know the story is such a good one that the movie paled in comparison to the book. And I agree about Sarandon but Mark just isn't a very good actor in my opinion but I do like his movies lol. THanks again.
Good hub. Having not seen the movie nor read the book, I had no idea what "The Lovely Bones" was about. Now I want to check it out.
The book was awesome--I read it quite a many years ago but never bothered with the movie. Usually the movies do not compare as great as a detailed book! The way the book was written was quite the twist of your usual mundane format--I thought it was fabulous!
I saw the movie but wasn't particularly drawn in since the plot is telegraphed from the beginning.
Now I'll have to read the book to see what I might have missed from only viewing the film.
Interesting hub.
I can't wait to see it! Great review......
Loriamoore thanks for reading, yes give either one a go and see what you like best. Its an amazing story really.
Ghostwhisper good to see you. Yea the movie was pretty but like I said in the review just didn't compare with the book, Im sure youd be able to sniff out the evil in the movie though.
drbj thanks for reading and you will not be sorry with the book Cheers.
Michael thanks for reading and by all means see the movie and get back to me what you think. Cheers.
Wonderful job, Ladyjane. This looks like a very intersting movie and my friend has wanted to watch it so much. However I have been in a frightful mood of late. meaning nothing scary!!!!! Now after reading your review I am even more confirmed in my opinion. I'll just tell my friend to read the book! Thanks ladyjane!
Very convincing critique Angel Face. As I read your later hubs and watch your style developing it is obvious that you have a lot of talent lurking in that head of yours... Thank you for this :-)
Thanks for the review. I am going to read the book. It's something I have been meaning to do.
I haven't see this. It looks interesting.
I think you nailed this review. I was disappointed with this movie. It felt like something was missing. The plot was obvious from the beginning and then they tried to throw in suspense after the fact. I totally agree with your views on the young actress Saoirse Ronan and look forward to seeing her again. I have not read the book yet. I am sure it would be much better as I agree books almost always are.
I agree with uliveulearn...I kept waiting and waiting while watching the movie..and was let down. I was expecting more suspense and it never came. Yes, books are always better. It is a let down to read a book then see the movie, of the same, and you come out of the theater feeling disappointed! Great review ladyjane! Thanks!
Ann thanks for reading. This movie isnt scary its just suspensful but your freind would still be better off reading the book. thanks for reading.
De Greek good to see you again. I appreciate the compliment it really makes my day. I never considered that I might have talent, you're gonna make my head explode. Ha thanks.
@breakfastpop thanks for reading and let me know what you think of the book and then see the movie and you will see what I mean. Thanks.
@sandyspider thanks for reading this is a very amazing story. I think you will like the book.
@uliveulearn thanks for reading Im glad you saw what I saw in this movie, I mean I think it was made well but there was something missing.
@pamm hey good to see you thanks for reading. I totally agree with you. I don't know what people do to movies, I mean did Peter Jackson even read the book, makes you wonder. Thanks for stopping by.
From you review and the trailer, I have got to see this movie.
Thanks for a good review. I am going to get the book also. Good hub.
I've read the book and am looking forward to seeing the movie. Sorry you were disappointed in it.
mod2vint let me know what you think thanks for stopping by.
Pamella I am sure that you will enjoy the book let me know how you like it. thantks
judydiane you may see something in the movie that I missed or have a totally different perspective about it. Isn't it interesting that two people can have a different opinion about the same thing. Great to have choices and I do hope you enjoy the movie, thanks for commenting.
Ok so you sold me - I want to read the book first. This was a great review - thanks for sharing your opinion with us.
No Problem Whidbeywriter Im sure that you would like the book better.It is so well written and its a breeze to read I sailed right through it. I guess as always I ask too much in the films and am always dissappointed. CHeers
Thanks for providing the insight from the book. I had seen the trailer before and found it to be somewhat confusing yet intriguing. What you've shared however, has provided enough insight that now I want to see the movie. :)
thanks money glitch whichever you decide I am sure that you will find fascinating. Thanks for reading.
Hi, great hub. I have read the book and found it breath taking. I found the film a bit of a disappointment, but as you say, so often the case. I don't think anyone seeing the film would really understand it all wiithout reading the book. Great job, thanks.
Thanks Gigi2 for stopping by I appreciate your comments.
Thanks so much for the review and your advice. I have not read the book nor seen the movie. But have heard the book is absolutely terrific. I will definitely take your advice and read the book first. How disappointing for the author, that there were many parts left out.
Great Hub,
Sage
Sage thanks for reading, good to see you. Yes I think you will absolutely love the book. And like I said in the review, the movie is pleasing to the eyes but disappointig that so many things were changed. Cheers and let me know after you read the book what you think.
ladyjane, I love this movie, powerful learning opportunity as my 11 and 13 year olds wanted to see it and see it we did. After you review I must read the book. Thanks and Peace :)
katiem2 thanks so much for reading. I thought the movie was okay but yes the book was better for me. I like books more anyway. THanks for visiting.
katiem2 thanks so much for reading. I thought the movie was okay but yes the book was better for me. I like books more anyway. THanks for visiting.
I completely forgot I wanted to see this movie! I'm glad I stumbled across this great review....I just added it to my netflix cue.
theherbivorehippi hello and thanks for visiting, if you see the movie I hope you enjoy it. I did enjoy it as it is well made but just not as good as the book in my opinion. Cheers.
Hi, i picked this one to read because funnily enough I watched it last nightI have not read the book but if it was better than the film then it must have been awesome. I thought the film was probably one of the best films that i have seen in years, but because I didn't have the book to compare it to, I didn't see the flaws. You have also made me want to go out and read it now! cheers nell
Nice summation of the movie vs. book. I never read the book and thought the movie was pretty good. If I had read the book, I probably wouldn't have liked the movie as much. You did a nice job of critiquing.
I recently watched The Lovely Bones and while I have not read the book yet, I can see that there is something missing in the movie. Either way I think the movie was good. Sad and it had great visuals.
Hello Suzie-Q. Funny I used to know a girl named suzie and we would always call her suzie Q. Thanks for reading my hub and you are right the movie was not a bad movie I thought that the special effects was phenominal but like you said there was something missing and it is in the book. Thanks for visiting me your comments are appreciated. Cheers.
..your hubs and the eclectic nature and variety of them - is the reason why hubpages was created in the first place!
epigramman always a pleasure to see you and thanks for the great compliment. Cheers.
Thanks for the review ladyjane, i am on my way of buying the book, dont know if I will watch the movie. looks like a good read.
jayb23 thanks for reading my review and if you read the book I hope you enjoy it. Cheers.
Enjoyed reading your review, and agree with your opinion of both the movie and the book. I read the book and it is a phenomenol piece of literature. The movie was not as good, but Saoirse Ronan's performance and narration as Suzie Salmon is spot on. No other actress could have been Suzie, in my opinion, and it really bothers me that Saoirse didn't get top billing for this movie. Check her out in "Atonement" and "City of Ember". Hopefully we'll be seeing more of her in the very near future.
PennyLane thanks for stopping by and giving your opinion of my review. I will definitely check out those movies with Saoirse, I havent seen the movies you mentioned but I will because she is a fantastic actress. Thanks again. Cheers.
I did love the movie, especially the ending, which was a satisfying end, but still very tragic...thanks for the hub!
citychick thanks for reading. I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Im glad you enjoyed this movie, I didn't think it was as good as it couldve been but I liked it just the same. Cheers.
I just saw this movie the other day. I read the books years ago but didn't even notice the movie when it was out. I agree with yur assessment that the movie was disappointing but I did love the actress, Saoirse Ronan. Did you see her in Atonement?
Mrs. Menagerie thanks for reading and for your nice comments. I agree with you as well about Saoirse and yes Atonement was good. Cheers.
kowality 2 years ago
This was an awesome movie. You are right, books are always better than the movies. Mark and Susan have been long time favorites of mine.