The Lovely Bones offers touching look at loss

Posted Dec. 11, 2022

By Aislynn Hawk

Cub Reporter

The Lovely Bones, a 2009 Dreamworks Pictures film directed by Peter Jackson and produced by Carolynne Cunningham, Fran Walsh, and Aimee Peyronnet, had a very creative and clever look at the production of this film.

The film The Lovely Bones is an adaptation of the original book written by Alice Sebold. The movie revolves around a 14 year old girl named Susie Salmon, who was murdered leading her to be watching over her grieving family from a place that is not quite heaven yet not quite earth. 

This movie was able to focus on multiple people’s sides without making it confusing. Throughout the movie viewers see Susie’s point of view, her dads, and the neighbors. Each point of view allows the audience to feel different emotions, depending on who it is. Oftentimes when it would change to Susie’s family point of view it would be mourningful.

The acting in this film was remarkable. Each of the actors were able to show real and raw emotions throughout the whole film which can not always be done. Aswell as doing an outstanding job with their dialogue, the film's actors did an incredible job with showing non-verbal communication. It is very clear in scenes when a character was feeling uneasy or scared or perhaps when a character had a realization. 

What captures many viewers' eyes about this film is the unique and compelling camera angles. It is made very clear this film was exploring many different camera angles. The creators of this film seem to have put just the right amount of perspectives in each scene. Oftentimes while filming the camera will be moving as if somebody is holding it and walking around near the character, adding to the uneasy feeling of the film. This action makes the viewer feel almost as if they themselves are experiencing the scene.

Overall this movie was impressive. It touches on the sorrow and despair of losing a loved one, while also talking about a topic many are scared to bring up, that being murder. The film was able to capture realism while still having a large portion of the movie being based in a fictional reality between the dead and the living. The film had an impeccable eye for detail that most movies do not have which is why this movie is truly phenomenal.