- Film Review
- Reviewed By Stella Papamichael
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2 out of 5
After realising Middle-earth in the Lord of the Rings saga, director Peter Jackson presents a vision of the afterlife for this contemporary fantasy. Unfortunately there's too much emphasis on visual effects, as a teenage girl (a suitably wistful Saoirse Ronan) observes from on high the aftermath of her brutal murder and sees her killer (a rather too obvious Stanley Tucci) prepare for his next strike. Alice Sebold's original novel presented an incisive examination of the changing dynamics of a family in grief, but Jackson's soft-focus approach robs the story of its power. And while Mark Wahlberg delivers a poignantly childlike performance to echo the loss of his daughter, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon and Rose McIver (as mum, grandma and sister, respectively) feel superfluous. Consequently, the finale - though tense - lacks that visceral gut punch. Ultimately, Jackson spends too long in the clouds and loses touch with the real drama on ground level.
Plot Summary
Director Peter Jackson's fantasy drama, adapted from the bestselling novel by Alice Sebold, starring Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon and Saoirse Ronan. Following her murder, teenager Susie Salmon watches from a powerless position in the afterlife as her family disintegrates and her killer remains at large.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Jack Salmon
- Mark Wahlberg
- Abigail Salmon
- Rachel Weisz
- Grandma Lynn
- Susan Sarandon
- Susie Salmon
- Saoirse Ronan
- George Harvey
- Stanley Tucci
- Len Fenerman
- Michael Imperioli
- Brian Nelson
- Jake Abel
- Clarissa
- Amanda Michalka
- Ray Singh
- Reece Ritchie
- Lindsey Salmon
- Rose McIver
- Principal Caden
- Thomas McCarthy
Crew
- Director
- Peter Jackson
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