Movie Review: ‘Lovely Bones’ is somber, sober drama

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February 1, 2010

Anonymous The Jacksonville Daily Progress Mon Feb 01, 2010, 07:46 PM CST

Editor’s note: A Jacksonville resident has been reviewing movies for friends for several years and has offered to share his thoughts with Daily Progress readers. His reviews come in personal letters to his nicknamed friend, Spud Nut. Our reviewer is Tater Tot, so consequently, the movies get ratings based on potatoes.

Spud Nut,

The Lovely Bones (rated PG-13, 135 minutes) is a somber, sober drama about a 14 year-old girl who was murdered on Dec. 6, 1973, and the crime’s effects upon the living and the dead. Saorise Ronan plays Suzy Salmon, who exists in between worlds because her ties with her grieving family keep her from entering heaven. Her parents, Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz, must learn to cope with their tragic loss. Her tipsy grandmother, Susan Sarandon, deals with the crisis in her own way. Stanley Tucci plays the serial killer so well that he ought to be arrested just for being able to enter such a deranged mindset. Director Peter Jackson uses surreal images and artistic symbolism to depict Suzy’s supernatural world. The story has some appropriate resolutions. Tucci’s improbable conclusion comes straight from the book upon which the movie is adapted. You might not enjoy this kind of story because of its serious themes, but you will respect the author’s perspective about issues of life and death, and the ensemble’s creditable acting ability. Unless you have read the book or you’re an adolescent girl who can identify with the main characters, this movie will get only an average two potato rating this winter season.

Tater Tot

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Movie Review: ‘Lovely Bones’ is somber, sober drama

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