The Lovely Bones

Aftermath of a cruel death

Filled with ideals and fantasies about her bright future, fourteen-year-old Susie (Ronan) thinks she will live life according to her dreams. However, Susie’s life comes to an abrupt end when her neighbour (Stanley Tucci) murders her. The girl’s life ends, but her soul wanders back to see those she had left behind – her shocked mother (Weisz) and obsessed father (Wahlberg).

Seeing her parents’ lives falling apart following her death and her murderer leading a perfect life, she is convinced that she must set things right.
Based on Alice Sebold’s “The Lovely Bones”, the film boasts of a visually pleasing setting.

Director Peter Jackson’s depiction of paradise with visual effects is a class in its own right. However, the film’s pace slows down as it lingers too much here rather than upon the action on the earthlings.

The film’s central theme which is murder and molestation is dramatised effectively by the cast. Ronan lights up the screen with her compelling depiction of joy and sadness.  
Wahlberg and Weisz deliver an average performance. The most terrifying of them is Tucci. He’s got that face and eyes of a natural child molester. “The Lovely Bones” is not a family drama but its painting on the issue of molestation is somewhat different. It’s sorrowful, and yet ultimately positive.