Ok, I'm still in the process of setting a blogging schedule for myself, so you'll have to forgive me if it seems to keep switching around...please. Anyway, I decided I'll do something every Monday called Movie Review Mondays. I generally allow myself to see one movie a week, and this week, I decided to indulge in The Lovely Bones.
When we first meet 14-year-old Susie Salmon, she is already in heaven. This was before milk carton photos and public service announcements, she tells us; back in 1973, when Susie mysteriously disappeared, people still believed these things didn't happen. In the sweet, untroubled voice of a precocious teenage girl, Susie relates the awful events of her death and her own adjustment to the strange new place she finds herself. It looks a lot like her school playground, with the good kind of swing sets. With love, longing, and a growing understanding, Susie watches her family as they cope with their grief, her father embarks on a search for the killer, her sister undertakes a feat of amazing daring, her little brother builds a fort in her honor and begin the difficult process of healing. In the hands of a brilliant novelist, this story of seemingly unbearable tragedy is transformed into a suspenseful and touching story about family, memory, love, heaven, and living.
Now, I generally don't see films based on books because they rarely (if ever) live up to the genius of the book. This, however, was so excellent. Peter Jackson is a master at making films, obviously, but he outdid himself with this. It had the perfect cast, and Saorise Ronan was picture-perfect for Susie. It truly lived up to the amazing work of Alice Sebold. Here is the trailer (one of them), and it's my favourite one.
If you haven't read the book, I'd suggest you read it first because this is one movie where you won't be disappointed when you leave the theatre. I give this film a definite 5 out of 5, especially because I went in with zero expectations and simply hoped not to be disappointed.
Good review! I just watched this movie, and I thought it was good. Even though they excluded some parts in the book, Jackson still managed to make the movie great :)
What did you think of the book? I read it about four years ago and remember loving it up until the end. Then I was disappointed. Hadn't considered seeing the movie until reading your review. I think I'd better now! I usually am disappointed in Mark Wahlberg's acting, but his character is not very predominant in this role;-) nice review!
The book was awesome, which is why I'm hesitant to see the movie. I don't want to be disappointed, though I know when it comes to books-to-movies people usually are. I bet the visual effects were amazing though, right?
@SB...I loved this book. It's absolutely one of my all-time favourites. I was so surprised that the movie lived up to the book for me. Oh, and this was the best Mark Wahlberg has ever been, in my opinion.
@Ash...The visual effects were, indeed, stunning. I was glad that, for the most part, Peter Jackson also stuck to the story line.
My daughter and I thought this was a gorgeously written book, and I've had mixed feelings about seeing the movie adaptation. I am glad you loved it so much!
I really want to see this film - I loved the book & the trailers for the film look really good. Nice to hear someone say it isn't a disapointment though :o)
As much as I liked this book ( 5 stars) and the wonderful writing , I just can't handle watching it on screen. I was off books for a week after I read this one so I know what the movie will do. :) Like the new Monday Movie review concept..
I watched this movie last weekend and I must say I really liked it. Even though it wasn't like the book from some parts I really liked the actors, especially Mark Wahlberg. I think he did a great job as Susie's father.
I couldn't agree with you more about this movie. I thought it was stunning and beautiful. I read the book several years ago, so I don't exactly remember everything, but I was not disappointed with the movie.
i actually wasn't a big fan of the book, and the movie was a bit of a drag if you ask me. im not sure why i didnt like it--all the awesome performances, wonderful special effects. but then again, to each their own! however, Ray Singh invthe movie was hot. haha, just thought i'd mention. he literally had the longest eyelashes ever!
Good review! I just watched this movie, and I thought it was good. Even though they excluded some parts in the book, Jackson still managed to make the movie great :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the book yet, and I really want to see the movie! I guess I'll have to get on that.
ReplyDeleteI never read the book, but I'm excited about this movie. I heard Stanley Tucci was fabulous. Thanks for posting a great review!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite books and I was definitely not disappointed in the movie! I loved it.
ReplyDeleteWhat did you think of the book? I read it about four years ago and remember loving it up until the end. Then I was disappointed. Hadn't considered seeing the movie until reading your review. I think I'd better now! I usually am disappointed in Mark Wahlberg's acting, but his character is not very predominant in this role;-)
ReplyDeletenice review!
Thanks for the review. My daughter read Lovely
ReplyDeleteBones and she was disappointed with the ending, so I never got around to reading it. Maybe I will now.
The book was awesome, which is why I'm hesitant to see the movie. I don't want to be disappointed, though I know when it comes to books-to-movies people usually are. I bet the visual effects were amazing though, right?
ReplyDelete@SB...I loved this book. It's absolutely one of my all-time favourites. I was so surprised that the movie lived up to the book for me. Oh, and this was the best Mark Wahlberg has ever been, in my opinion.
ReplyDelete@Ash...The visual effects were, indeed, stunning. I was glad that, for the most part, Peter Jackson also stuck to the story line.
My daughter and I thought this was a gorgeously written book, and I've had mixed feelings about seeing the movie adaptation. I am glad you loved it so much!
ReplyDeleteI soooo want to see this movie. great
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to read this book for soo long now. And now I really want to see the movie, but I want to read the book first.
ReplyDeleteI really want to see this film - I loved the book & the trailers for the film look really good. Nice to hear someone say it isn't a disapointment though :o)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see this one, the trailer is just stunning. :D
ReplyDeleteAs much as I liked this book ( 5 stars) and the wonderful writing , I just can't handle watching it on screen. I was off books for a week after I read this one so I know what the movie will do. :) Like the new Monday Movie review concept..
ReplyDeleteFab review. I need to see this.
ReplyDeleteIt's rare for a movie to shine when compared to the book. Glad you loved it. I always enjoy Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci and Susan Sarandon.
ReplyDeleteI watched this movie last weekend and I must say I really liked it. Even though it wasn't like the book from some parts I really liked the actors, especially Mark Wahlberg. I think he did a great job as Susie's father.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more about this movie. I thought it was stunning and beautiful. I read the book several years ago, so I don't exactly remember everything, but I was not disappointed with the movie.
ReplyDeletei actually wasn't a big fan of the book, and the movie was a bit of a drag if you ask me. im not sure why i didnt like it--all the awesome performances, wonderful special effects. but then again, to each their own! however, Ray Singh invthe movie was hot. haha, just thought i'd mention. he literally had the longest eyelashes ever!
ReplyDelete