Movie: The Lovely Bones (2010)

The story of a life and everything that came after...

The Lovely Bones is adapted from Alice Sebold's novel of the same name. This lovely yet serenely sad movie is directed by Peter Jackson, best known for The Lord of the Rings trilogy and District 9. The name Peter Jackson gives me 100% assurance that this will be another meaningful movie. And yes, I'm right.

Saoirse Ronan, a 16-year old Irish actress is Susie Salmon, the main character of the movie. Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz are Susie's parents; Susan Sarandon is Susie's grandmother.

Note: Saoirse means freedom in Irish.

In a nutshell, Susie's narration summarizes the whole story.

"My name is Salmon, like the fish. First name, Susie. I was fourteen years old when I was murdered on December 6th, 1973. I wasn't gone. I was alive in my own perfect world. But in my heart, I knew it wasn't perfect. My murderer still haunted me. My father had the pieces but he couldn't make them fit. I waited for justice but justice did not come."

Saoirse Ronan is a very lovely young actress. Her clear, sky blue eyes are hypnotic and you can't help but be drawn into her character and feel Susie's love*, happiness, agony, and hatred throughout the entire movie. Lovely.

*A love poem:
"If I had but an hour of love,
If that be all that is given me,
An hour of love upon this earth,
I would give my love to thee."

About the murderer, Mr. Harvey (Stanley Tucci), he gives me the "skivvies" (quoting Ruth, another character). Pay attention to his facial expression and you'll get goosebumps in seconds. Perfect.

As human beings, we believe in "a tooth for a tooth, an eye for an eye". No. This movie chooses a peaceful closure, an ending so sad that I've to believe that justice is served even if we don't see it with our own eyes.

Susie's closing narration explains all.

"Nobody notices when we leave. I mean, the moment when we really choose to go. At best you might feel, a whisper or the wave of a whisper, undulating down. My name is Salmon, like the fish. First name: Susie. I was 14 years old, when I was murdered on December 6th 1973. I was here for a moment, and then I was gone. I wish you all, a long, and happy life."

Highly recommended. Watch it and dream about the world of "the in-between". :)