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The Lovely Bones
The Lovely Bones Image
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Metascore
42 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 36 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.1 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 137 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Saoirse Ronan
  • Summary: The Lovely Bones centers on a young girl who has been murdered and watches over her family – and her killer – from heaven. She must weigh her desire for vengeance against her desire for her family to heal. (Paramount Pictures)

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 36
  3. Negative: 10 out of 36
  1. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Shawn Levy
    91
    As someone new to the material, I found Jackson's film soulful, respectful, masterful, horrifying, rending and emotionally true. It may not be the Lovely Bones that you have in mind, but it's a fine and powerful one.
  2. Time Out New York
    Reviewed by: Joshua Rothkopf
    60
    It's a movie that tips toward overkill--even Ronan's voice is amplified into a weird whisper. More quiet would have helped.
  3. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    38
    A deplorable film with this message: If you're a 14-year-old girl who has been brutally raped and murdered by a serial killer, you have a lot to look forward to.

See all 36 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 59
  3. Negative: 13 out of 59
  1. grandpajoe6191
    6
    Despite it's fragile face-paced story that emotionally repeats what it's trying to say, Peter Jackson's "The Lovely Bones" is a well made fantasy movie...at least from a technical viewpoint here.… Expand
    • 3 of 3 users said yes
  2. BillyS.
    5
    The Lovely Bones is technically a beautiful film, the acting, music, cinematography and production design are excellent, it could be a emotional film to get swept up in but there lies the problem, there's just too much going on to keep your attention on, is it about the afterlife?,a serial killer?, a crime story? a family drama? It's all of them and more! At on point I was actually reminded of Sally Field in Sybil, which is not what the makers were hoping for I'm sure, but I'll give It a 5 for the artistry and because Saoirse Ronan was so good.… Expand
    • 4 of 4 users said yes
  3. DanE
    0
    This is the worst movie I have ever seen...ever. About a third of the way through I found myself hoping that it would just end. There is little to no character development and many scenes are drawn out and incoherent. This movie could easily have forty to fifty minutes cut out with no loss in continuity. Save your money and your time. Read the book.… Expand
    • 2 of 3 users said yes

See all 59 User Reviews

Trailers

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