Iffy for 16+
Haunting mystery-drama examines a child's murder.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that director Peter Jackson's drama based on Alice Sebold's best-selling book The Lovely Bones centers on the aftermath of an enormous tragedy: the death of a child (though the actual death itself isn't shown on screen). The intense subject matter -- murder and molestation -- may overwhelm younger teens. Although the movie's messages about love and loss are ultimately positive, the film is often deeply sorrowful and, at times, quite violent (images include dead bodies, bloody clothes, and more). Language includes mostly name-calling; there's also some kissing, and one older character smokes and drinks in front of children.
- Families can talk about the movie's messages. Do the violence and intense subject matter make it harder to see the positive take-aways, or do they come through?
- How does the impact of the violence in a movie like this compare to that of an action/sci-fi movie? Which affects you more? Why?
- Talk about the events that lead up to Susie’s murder. What lessons can be gleaned from the tragedy? Why is Susie stuck in the in-between?
- How did Susie’s death affect everyone, including herself? Dothese reactions seem believable? How doeseveryone find peace?
The good stuff
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Messages: Though it centers on a shocking murder, the movie takes great pains to juxtapose the violence with love and domesticity. Loss, though destabilizing, is portrayed as far from decimating. Death isn’t explored as an end but a passage.
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Role models: Yes, there’s a murderer/pedophile involved, but besides him, the movie's characters are decent and earnest -- as well as realistically imperfect. Though the mother reacts in a surprising way to her daughter’s death, her love for her child comes through; the father is more textbook caring. And the younger sister is impressive in her courage and determination.
What to watch for
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Violence: Brief flashes of a man grabbing and throwing a teenager to the floor and against the wall (though her actual death takes place off screen). He’s also shown carrying a bloody bag and soaking in a tub, his blood-stained clothing strewn on the floor. The sink is filled with bloodied water. A safe that presumably holds a corpse is repeatedly shown. The bodies of a serial killer's victims are shown in the various places where they were dumped. A teenager beats up a man with a baseball bat; the man is later shown bruised and battered.
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Sex: Some kissing. Implied pedophilia.
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Language: One "f--k," plus occasional use of words like "hell" and "oh God" (as an exclamation). Also some name-calling, including “jerk off,” “moron,” and “stupid.”
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Consumerism: Some labels and signage are visible (Kodak, Seventeen magazine).
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: A grandmother chain-smokes and drinks heavily in front of her grandchildren.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
The Lovely Bones by jmccoll
I did not read the book and had no expectations of this movie. I personally found it to be quite good.
I really got into the part of showing the in-between and what the possibility could be. It also shows what sometimes can happen when we give in to a moment of kindness to a stranger even though you no better. It really shows what happens to those that are left behind. The ending surprised me a little because you expect the obvious to happen, but I enjoyed that it was taken in another direction. If you are going to critique the movie because who produced it, or critique it because you read the book and felt it should have shown more, then you may be disappointed some. But if you just watch the movie for what it is, I feel most people will enjoy it, and maybe even a time or two shed a tear. It shows the power of determination. It also gives you a few minutes of anxiety while you are watching the sister doing what she can to find the answer.
5
Great movie! by jfdnunder
Please do not take your kids to this movie. It is not the type you would want them to see. It will freak them out and be scared for the rest of thier lifes.
I loved the movie. IGreat acting and story line. After watching it I felt a little weird and scared and wanted to cry. I wanted to pull my kids out of school and hug them.
Go see it with adults only.
4
The Lovely Bones by leslieth
While at times a little intense for those who may be squeemish, "The Lovely Bones" tells the story of what a family goes through when losing a child to murder. What makes it interesting is that it is told through the voice and eyes of the murdered child.
The child, Susie Salmon, played by Saoirse Ronan, is luminous. Her murderer, played by Stanley Tucci, seems pretty harmless in the beginning and gets increasingly creepy. Rachel Weitz was right on as the mother coping, in her own way, with the loss of her daughter and the subsequent obsession of her husband. Mark Wahlberg was excellent playing the obsessed father, first trying to find his daughter and then trying to find her murderer.
Supporting actor Reece Ritchie was amazing, and the girl who played Ruth gave a powerful performance as the only person who can see or sense Susie's spirit.
5
stunning....just stunning by spiderGIRL1
The movie blew me away. the beggining made me kind of wonder if it would be good but after awhile I was on the edge of my seat for practically the whole movie. I am a big fan of the book and though they changed some stuff I think they did an AMAZING job. 5 stars.
(p.s. if you are parents and your children won't listen to you about not talking to strangers.... take them to see this movie and they'll run screaming next time a creepy middle aged man comes near them)
4
The Lovely Bones by Maggie1988
I see a lot of mix regarding the reviews from this movie. It is the same with any movie you go see, either you like it or you dont. I really liked this movie. I saw the movie and then read the book. Even though some parts are left out, the movie was very good. If you do not want to see the movie at the movies rent it on dvd instead. I thought the characters were very well played. The movie is sad but in the end you realize that this does actually happen.
I would definitely recommend seeing this movie! Good movie and good book!
4
Very sad,beautiful movie! by shelleyarts
This is a very hard movie to recommend. It kept my interest from start to finish and was very beautiful visually. It just was exceedingly sad. The young girl Susie Salmon did an amazing job playing this haunting girl whose life was cut very short by this sicko..The movie shows the beauty of life after death and thereafter. When the movie was over my husband asked me if I liked the movie. I said "I don't know"? It was very haunting and very sad. It shows the innocence of youth taken away too soon. If you like suspenseful movies you will sit on the edge of your seat. There were many young girls viewing this movie while I was there. I guarantee they will have nightmares. This was a very intense movie and very real in many aspects.
5
The Lovely Bones by joey464
I can't believe anyone would give this a bad review or say they got lost, or couldn't follow it...realy???..lol
It was one of the best movies i have ever seen,it told the story from a father's point of view, & the victum's(his daughter),you saw they're pain,& her confusion & experiances to either stay inbetween with her faher, or be free when she feel's it's time to leave& help the other victum's.
It also took you in the mind of a serial killer,exspecialy some1 in your neighborhood,& i loved that my 12 yr. old daughter was there to see it,& see the realities of walking somewhere alone,& how sick people think,even the ones you think are nice...she wouldn't even get up to go pee, she was just as clued to the screen as i was....the best!! go see it!!!
2
"OUCH!" by dck39648
"Ouch," the book screamed, as Peter Jackson yanked a fair story from its pages and slapped it stupid with cloying morosities. Lots of razzle-dazzle covering the sentimental banalities. Struggled to make it half-way through, which was possible only because I was re-reading portions of the book. Rating: Walk the dog, instead.
5
Lovely Bones by grannygini
My 14 year old granddaughter wanted to see this based on the trailers shown on TV. I am so glad we saw this movie. I think all responsible parents should take their minor children to see this movie. It shows them just how vulnerable they are and how conniving and treacherous the human predator is. We have preached, educated, and even given our granddaughter self defense classes but this movie really opened her eyes and her mind as to just how perverted some people are and how careful everyone needs to be. The cinematography and special effects were beautiful and fantastic. A truely mesmerizing movie. We took in a matinee and their were a lot of teens in the audience. I just new it would be noisy with a lot of them expressing their opinions to everyone within ear shot but after the movie started and the plot developed you could have heard a pin drop. I give this movie 5 stars.
4
Good Film for Adults by Vegas_AndyPants
It was a great film centering on death, the lives touched by this event, and the need to keep moving forward. The movie was paced well, with minor discrepancies in regards to the novel.