Peter Jackson's Lovely Bones

I haven't read the book, but after seeing The Lovely Bones at the cinema yesterday, I absolutely think everyone should watch the movie! I was told I was coming to the Lovely Bones yesterday at the last minute by a friend - knowing it was by the masterful Peter Jackson, she didn't have to ask me twice. I'd heard a lot of bad things about the film, but it just goes to show that you should never listen to what others say about anything, good or bad. In my eyes, Peter Jackson is renown for his spectacular works, the Lord of the Rings and the King Kongs, but having been an avid Jackson fan from Heavenly Creatures, it didn't matter to me that he'd taken on a more subdued subject - probably why people were disappointed when seeing the movie.

However, the film is not short of special effects - Jackson's take on heaven is astounding. Forget the plain white clouds and looking glass into the world below, and think more an LSD trip of amazing beauty which interacts with the living world without words in a way you can't fully understand. The film centres around a young girl who is raped and murdered by a neighbour, although much of the film is about what follows - her family after the event, the relationships they have - as told by the girl herself from the afterlife, as she struggles to deal with her death.

What Peter Jackson created in the film was nothing short of brilliant. The film has laughs, scares, drama and more than enough of tears. I could not find fault with any of the actors and their performances - from Mark Walhberg as a struggling father, to Rachel Weisz who must leave her husband as he copes with the loss, to Stanley Tucci who delivers a chilling performance as a serial killer. The film draws you into the film's characters and plot so intently that you can't turn away. It makes you understand that when you murder someone, you not only take away their life, but every moment that person has left - seeing these moments pass by as the dead girl (Saoirse Ronan) watches on from heaven is very saddening and profound, leaving the film with you long after it's over.

I honestly don't know why the film has received such bad reviews. Between the solid acting, the emotive storyline and the unique Jackson take on a much loved book, I cannot see that much fault to warrant it. If people wanted to see a vicious rape and murder as described in the book, then maybe they should go read it again, for the story isn't about lingering on the girl's death, it's about her journey forward from it. I'd definitely say that The Lovely Bones is amongst my favourite movies of late and I look forward to seeing Jackson's upcoming films if they're anything like his previous ones.