Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones
Jackson's Cinematic Interpretation of Sebold's Classic Novel
Aug 21, 2009
Peter Jackson's Heavenly Creatures (1994)Jackson's early directoral efforts Heavenly Creatures, tells the true life story of Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme. Two teenagers in the throes of sexual desire for one another resulting in brutal murder. Jackson's fantastical roots are perhaps not as visceral as his later works, but are displayed throughout the narrative. What is striking, and perhaps what Jackson is undeniably a master of, is creating a fantasy world that chills the bones of the audience and juxaposing this with the cold, harsh, brutal murder in which the narrative ends upon.
Throughout Jackson's film career, he has managed to juggle spectacular special effects with the dark, haunting themes of the narrative's content in a superb manner. The end result is not another mindless Hollywood blockbuster, but a compelling film that pleases the eye whilst grapling with themes such as good verses evil, death and morality and fate and freewill. Jackson has already demonstrated that he can successfully present a teenage girl's world that is filled with desire, desperation and fantasy. Trait's that are specifically important in Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones.
Alice Sebold's NovelThe Lovely Bones, Sebold's second novel, was published in 2002 to acclaimed reviews. Sebold's dark story follows a simliar vein to her first novel Lucky, the heroine is beaten and raped. The story begins with the the heroine, Susie Salmon, ( played by Saoirse Ronan in the film) recalling the details of her kidnap, rape and murder to the perspective reader. For those thinking The Lovely Bones might be a heart warming fantasy, think again. Sebold's story does not make for light reading. It is achingly sad but beautifully written. Even the most hard hearted of people will be moved by Susie's journey from beyond the grave. If one was to catergorise the story into a Hollywood film genre, then The Lovely Bones will certainly earn a place in the tear-jerker catergory. The theme of brutality in Sebold's books are shockingly viseral and made even more tragic by the fact that Sebold herself, is a victim of rape and violence. The pain and injustice surge through the pages of both novels and strikes deep.
Karen Valby of Entertainment Weekly, in her review of The Lovely Bones says, "So this is what heaven is like. It comes bottled in a blue drink of a book and reads like a fairy tale. Alice Sebold will be your guide. The Lovely Bones will be the Bible."
What To Expect From Jackson's The Lovely BonesJackson's previous cinematic ventures has proven that he is both captable of handling fantasy-laden concepts and dark content. The Rings trilogy and his interpretation of King Kong is an obvious example of this, however, Jackson has also proved that he is equally as confident in exploring a teenage girls fantasy world. Sebold's story captures all these elements and thus perhaps, Peter Jackson, will be the Hollywood director that will do justice to Sebold's much loved novel and bring The Lovely Bones to cinematic glory.
