The Lovely Bones

Name: The Lovely Bones
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Fantasy
Released: December 11, 2009
Duration: 136 min
Rating: 42
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Saoirse Ronan

2009

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 36 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 290 Ratings

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6.2

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6.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 290 Ratings

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The Lovely Bones

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Movie Details & Credits

DreamWorks SKG | Release Date: December 11, 2009 | PG-13

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)

Director: Peter Jackson

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Fantasy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 136 min

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Critic Reviews

Shawn Levy

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. Read full review

Richard Corliss

When else has the obscenity of child murder been the cause of such gravity and grace? Read full review

Andrea Gronvall

Hovers just this side of "Ghost Whisperer" kitsch but remains compulsively watchable thanks to its smart ensemble cast Read full review

Mick LaSalle

The Lovely Bones is difficult viewing, a meticulously crafted experiment that, it turns out, wasn't worth it. Read full review

Peter Rainer

As the murderer, Stanley Tucci is intensely creepy but, like almost everybody else in this movie, he’s more gothic figment than flesh and blood. Read full review

Roger Ebert

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. Read full review

Joe Neumaier

Peter Jackson siphoned out all the soulfulness that made the author's combination thriller/afterlife fantasy a best-seller. In its place is a gumball-colored potboiler that's more squalid than truly mournful. Read full review

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User Reviews

JohnB

Jan 5, 2010

Very beautiful and moving film. Love it lots, especially Saoirse Ronan, who is simply the Best.

2 of 2 users found this helpful

thomaswill

Nov 14, 2018

This movie is really good, the ratings don't pay it justice. Great cast, great story... really touching.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

lkaliba

May 30, 2014

A beautiful film that deals with vengeance and the effects that come when a loved one dies. This film needs to give thanks to Saoirse Ronan who carries this film with grace and beauty.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

ReeqA.

Jan 21, 2010

Honestly, after seeing the film the audience will know why critics gave such low scores. It is a film based on a brilliant emotional book, but failed to make full use of it. When you watch it you will notice that Peter Jackson does a fantastic job with revered, complex source material the Honestly, after seeing the film the audience will know why critics gave such low scores. It is a film based on a brilliant emotional book, but failed to make full use of it. When you watch it you will notice that Peter Jackson does a fantastic job with revered, complex source material the same thing he did in the lord of the rings. The film can be emotional to some people, as the very idea of a young girl dying and seeing her family from heaven is a sad seen. But the film could have been a lot better. The only thing in the film is up to the expectation is Stanley Tucci's performance. He truly shows both mental and physical behavior of a killer. Overall this film can be watched for time pass. Don't watch if you are expecting something like Lord of the rings-The return of the kings.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

BillyS.

Jan 25, 2010

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 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

5 of 6 users found this helpful

Spangle

Jan 4, 2016

The Lovely Bones has a lot going for it, but the more I thought about it, the more I truly came to dislike the film. The cast, led by Saoirse Ronan, is great. In particular, Stanley Tucci is phenomenal and really captures the perfect vibe and mannerisms for his character. Mark Wahlberg andThe Lovely Bones has a lot going for it, but the more I thought about it, the more I truly came to dislike the film. The cast, led by Saoirse Ronan, is great. In particular, Stanley Tucci is phenomenal and really captures the perfect vibe and mannerisms for his character. Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz are also good here. Additionally, the film is really well shot and the premise is very good. The special effects are also well done, but are really where this one starts to die. The special effects are wasted continuously on scenes that are simply not needed and add nothing to the film. In fact, they only serve to make the film dumber with their nonsense. The film's very base logic argues against itself, leading for a very troubling message to arise that it is okay to kill somebody for revenge and it is the only way to get into heaven. Numerous characters are so poorly written it hurts. Hell, most of them do not even need to be here. They themselves are fluff. Filled to the brim with fluff, the film continues to hurt itself by having scenes where character's motivations make no sense and an absolutely absurd romance. Overall, The Lovely Bones is far too pretty to completely disregard, plus Ronan and Tucci make this one well worth your time. However, as a piece of cinema, it is serious lacking.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

LarryT.

Jan 25, 2010

This movie has to be the worst of the decade! Pointless, boring, poor acting and script! You'll feel "taken" after spending the money to see such a failure. Hollywood doesn't get it! Movies like this give the industry a bad name.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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45	#45 Most Discussed Movie of 2009
25	#25 Most Shared Movie of 2009