The Lovely Bones (film)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Lovely Bones | |
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 Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Peter Jackson |
| Produced by | Peter Jackson Fran Walsh Carolynne Cunningham Aimée Peyronnet Executive Producer: Steven Spielberg |
| Written by | Novel: Alice Sebold Screenplay: Peter Jackson Fran Walsh Philippa Boyens |
| Starring | Mark Wahlberg Rachel Weisz Susan Sarandon Stanley Tucci Michael Imperioli Saoirse Ronan |
| Music by | Brian Eno |
| Cinematography | Andrew Lesnie |
| Editing by | Jabez Olssen |
| Studio | DreamWorks Pictures Film4 Productions Wingnut Films |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
| Release date(s) | December 11, 2009 (USA limited)[1] December 26, 2009 (AUS and NZ) January 15, 2010 (USA wide) January 29, 2010 (UK) January 22, 2010 (Poland)[2] |
| Country | New Zealand United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $100 million |
The Lovely Bones is a 2009 film adaptation of the novel of the same name by Alice Sebold. The film was directed by Peter Jackson and stars Saoirse Ronan as the protagonist Susie Salmon along with Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz as her parents, Jack and Abigail Salmon respectively.
Jackson and his producer partners acquired the rights independently and developed a script on their own, later selling it to DreamWorks. Production began in October 2007 in New Zealand and Pennsylvania. Paramount became a sole distributor a year later when they split with DreamWorks.[3] The film's trailer was released on August 4th 2009.[4]
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[edit] Synopsis
In 1973, Susie Salmon (Ronan) is murdered by a neighbor, George Harvey (Stanley Tucci), a serial killer of young girls and women. She finds herself in 'the in-between' a Heaven-like place, observing her family as they grieve for her. She also watches her killer who, having covered his tracks successfully, is preparing to murder again. Susie struggles to balance her desire for vengeance on Harvey and her desire to have her family recover from their loss.[5]
[edit] Cast
- Saoirse Ronan as Susie Salmon.[6] Ronan reminded Jackson of The Lord of the Rings stars Cate Blanchett–"a younger Cate, I can see her having the sort of career and making the types of films that Cate has been making"–and Elijah Wood, because they shared an eagerness to follow their director.[7]
- Mark Wahlberg as Jack Salmon, Susie's father.
- Rachel Weisz as Abigail Salmon, Susie's mother.[8]
- Stanley Tucci as George Harvey, Susie's killer.[9]
- Susan Sarandon as Lynn, Susie's, Lindsey's and Buckley's grandmother and Abigail's mother.[10]
- Rose McIver as Lindsey Salmon, Susie's sister.[11]
- Christian Thomas Ashdale as Buckley Salmon, Susie's and Lindsey's little brother. [12]
- Michael Imperioli as Len Fenerman, a police detective in charge of investigating Susie's death.[13]
- Reece Ritchie as Ray Singh, Susie's mutual love interest. In the novel, Ray is Indian.[14]
- Charlie Saxton as Ronald Drake.
- Carolyn Dando as Ruth Conners, a classmate of Susie's.[11]
- Amanda Michalka as Clarissa, Susie’s best friend.[15]
- Nikki SooHoo as Holly, Susie's best friend in Heaven.
The role of Jack Salmon had to be recast right before principal photography began. Ryan Gosling, who had gained 20 pounds and grown a beard for the role, had been cast.[16] Gosling said "the age of the character versus my real age was always a concern of mine. Peter [Jackson] and I tried to make it work and ultimately it just didn't. I think the film is much better off with Mark Wahlberg in that role."[17]
[edit] Production
In May 2000, Film4 Productions acquired feature film rights to Alice Sebold's novel The Lovely Bones,[18] when it was a half-written manuscript. Producer Aimee Peyronnet had sought to attract studio interest to the manuscript, and an insider informed Film4's deputy head of production, Jim Wilson, of the project.[19] The company attached Luc Besson and Peyronnet's production company Seaside to the project, two years before the novel's release.[18] By February 2001, Lynne Ramsay was hired to direct and write the film adaptation of the novel.[20] In July 2002, Channel 4 shut down Film4, causing Hollywood studios and producers to pursue acquisition of feature film rights to The Lovely Bones, which had spent multiple weeks at the top of the New York Times Best Seller list. The film adaptation, which had been estimated at a budget of $15 million, remained with Channel 4 under its newly developed inhouse film unit, with Ramsay still contracted to write and direct. By October 2002, Ramsay was writing the script with fellow screenwriter Liana Dognini, with filming planned for summer 2003.[19] Author Alice Sebold was invited by the producers to provide input on the project.[21]
In July 2003, the studio DreamWorks negotiated a first look deal with producer Peyronnet,[22] after DreamWorks founder Steven Spielberg had expressed interest in the project.[23] DreamWorks did not acquire the rights to the novel, and Ramsay was eventually detached from the project. In April 2004, producers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens entered negotiations to develop the project.[24] Jackson described the book as "a wonderfully emotional and powerful story. Like all the best fantasy, it has a solid grounding in the real world."[25] By January 2005, Jackson and Walsh planned to independently purchase film rights and to seek studio financing after a script had been developed. The producers sought to begin adapting a spec script for The Lovely Bones in January 2006, with the goal of script completion and budget estimation by the following May.[26] Jackson explained he enjoyed the novel because he found "curiously optimistic" and uplifting because of the narrator's sense of humor, adding there was a difference between its tone and subject matter. He felt very few films dealt with the loss of a loved one.[27] Jackson foresaw the most challenging element in the novel to adapt was the portrayal of Susie, the protagonist, in heaven, and making it "ethereal and emotional but not hokey".[25] Saoirse Ronan explained Jackson chose to depict the afterlife as depending on Susie's emotions. "Whenever Susie feels happy, Heaven is sunny and there's birds and everything. Whenever it’s not so great, it's raining or she’s in the middle of an ocean."[28] Jackson quoted the book's description of "heaven" as being an "In-Between" rather than a true heaven, and he was not trying to paint a definitive picture of Heaven itself.[27]
A 120-page draft of the script was written by September 2006.[29] In April 2007, with the script completed by Jackson, Walsh, and Boyens, and Jackson intending to direct, the group of producers began seeking a studio partner to finance the film adaptation. Besides the major studios, smaller companies including United Artists were also contacted. New Line Cinema was excluded from negotiations due to Jackson's legal dispute with the studio over royalties from his Lord of the Rings trilogy.[30] Jackson sought a beginning $65 million budget for The Lovely Bones, also requesting from studios what kind of promotional commitments and suggestions they would make for the film adaptation.[31] By May, four studios remained interested in the project: DreamWorks, Warner Bros., Sony, and Universal.[32] The Lovely Bones was sold to DreamWorks for $70 million.[33] Paramount Pictures received the rights to distribute the film worldwide. Production began in October 2007 in Pennsylvania and New Zealand.[8][34] Shooting in parts of Delaware, Chester and Montgomery Counties, including Hatfield,[35][citation needed] Ridley Township, Phoenixville, Royersford, Malvern and East Fallowfield[36] lasted a few weeks, and most of the studio shooting was done in New Zealand.[29]
In December 2008, Brian Eno signed on to compose the film's score. Fran Walsh, a big fan of his work, suggested him to Jackson.[37] Jackson had called Eno to request using two of his early tracks to evoke atmosphere for the 1970s scenes in the film, when Eno asked if he could compose the whole score, which surprised Jackson since he had heard Eno did not like working on films. For the film's ending, Eno uncovered a demo he had done in 1973 and reunited with the vocalist to create a proper version for the film. "That song from 1973 was finally finished in 2008!", said Jackson.[7]
In November 2009, Jackson admitted shooting new footage of Harvey's death scene after test audiences said it was not violent enough. They wanted to see more of Harvey in pain. [38]
[edit] Release
The Lovely Bones was originally scheduled for release on March 13, 2009,[39] but was delayed to December 11, 2009 as the studio became interested in releasing the film for "awards season", which gave Jackson an opportunity to make some effects shots larger in scope.[7][40] The film's trailer debuted on Entertainment Tonight on August 4, 2009, and was posted online shortly afterwards.[41][42]
[edit] Reception
The film currently holds a 67% 'Rotten' rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 13 reviews.[43]
[edit] References
- ^ Official Poster for The Lovely Bones
- ^ http://wiadomosci.fdb.pl/9842-nostalgia-aniola-i-up-in-the-air-zdjecia
- ^ Anne Thompson (2008-10-09). "Films up in the air after studios split". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117993747.html?categoryid=2508&cs=1. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
- ^ http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/07/comiccon-peter-jackson-lovely-bones-hobbit.html
- ^ DreamWorks Studios (2007-05-04). "DreamWorks Acquires Peter Jackson's Lovely Bones". ComingSoon.net. http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=20229. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
- ^ Borys Kit (2007-07-11). "DreamWorks setting "Bones" role for Ronan". The Hollywood Reporter. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070712/film_nm/bones_dc_1. Retrieved 2007-07-13.
- ^ a b c "News Etc.". Empire: pp. 26-30. June 2009.
- ^ a b Michael Fleming; Pamela McClintock (2007-06-12). "Weisz to star in 'Lovely Bones'". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117966754.html?categoryId=13&cs=1. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
- ^ Gregg Goldstein (2007-07-23). "Tucci cracks DW's 'Bones'". The Hollywood Reporter. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i9a352772046b5f1303dd04087e2800d2. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
- ^ Pamela McClintock (2007-07-26). "Sarandon joins 'Lovely Bones'". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117969278.html?categoryid=13&cs=1. Retrieved 2007-07-26.
- ^ a b "Lindsey and Ruth roles cast for The Lovely Bones"". Black Magic - NZ Film News. 2007-08-28. http://www.black-magic.co.nz/home/?p=535.
- ^ The Lovely Bones
- ^ Borys Kit (2007-08-02). "Imperioli connected to "Lovely Bones"". The Hollywood Reporter. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i307ae22942b238f96219b37d982c253f. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
- ^ "Lowestoft's Lovely Bones". bbc.co.uk. 2007-11-02. http://www.bbc.co.uk/suffolk/content/articles/2007/10/31/reece_ritchie_lovely_bones_feature.shtml. Retrieved 2007-11-02.
- ^ Shawn Adler (2007-09-24). "Pop Sensation AJ Michalka Cast In Jackson’s ‘Lovely Bones’". MTV Movies Blog. http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/09/24/pop-sensation-aj-michalka-cast-in-jacksons-lovely-bones/. Retrieved 2007-09-24.
- ^ Michael Fleming, Tatiana Siegel (2007-10-21). "Wahlberg steps into 'Bones'". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117974450.html?categoryid=13&cs=1. Retrieved 2007-10-22.
- ^ "Gosling Sets Bones Straight". IGN. 2007-10-29. http://movies.ign.com/articles/830/830921p1.html. Retrieved 2007-10-29.
- ^ a b "FilmFour makes 'Lovely' buy for Seaside". Variety. 2000-05-31. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117782048.html?categoryid=13&cs=1. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
- ^ a b Adam Dawtrey (2002-10-13). "'Bones' remains at C4". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117874192.html?categoryid=1246&cs=1. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
- ^ Jonathan Bing (2001-02-07). "U.K.'s FilmFour pages quirky fare for pix". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117793307.html?categoryid=1007&cs=1. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
- ^ Nicole Panter (2002-11-17). "Bestselling author goes incognito in La La Land". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117876022.html?categoryid=1411&cs=1. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
- ^ Marc Graser; Jonathan Bing (2003-07-06). "D'Works inks 'Bones' key". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117888916.html?categoryid=21&cs=1. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
- ^ Nicole Laporte (2003-11-02). "Inside Move: Peyronnet digs up lit paydirt". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117894937.html?categoryid=21&cs=1. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
- ^ Michael Fleming (2004-04-22). "Jackson team bones up on 'Lovely'". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117903728.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
- ^ a b Brian Sibley (2006). Peter Jackson: A Film-maker's Journey. London: Harper Collins. pp. 555–57. ISBN 0-00-717558-2.
- ^ Michael Fleming (2005-01-17). "Putting his own bucks into 'Bones'". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117916471.html?categoryid=13&cs=1. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
- ^ a b Scott Bowles (2009-04-19). "'Lovely Bones' was lovely to make". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-04-19-bones-jackson_N.htm. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
- ^ Silas Lesnick (2008-01-08). "Saoirse Ronan on The Lovely Bones". IESB. http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4073&Itemid=99. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
- ^ a b Eric Vespe (2006-09-13). "Quint and Peter Jackson, Part II: THE LOVELY BONES!!!". Ain't It Cool News. http://www.aintitcool.com/?q=node/30037. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
- ^ Pamela McClintock (2007-04-30). "'Bones' up for bidding". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117964049.html?categoryid=13&cs=1. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
- ^ Michael Fleming; Pamela McClintock (2007-05-02). "High-priced directors pitch projects". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117964180.html?categoryid=13&cs=1. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
- ^ Borys Kit (2007-05-03). "Project auctions: One hot, one not". The Hollywood Reporter. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i0c726bd1e68cd8aaf73440675df95cb6. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
- ^ "Jackson Sells, Mann/DiCaprio Doesn't". Variety. 2007-05-29. http://www.variety.com/blog/1400000340/post/740010074.html. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
- ^ Fleming, Michael (2007-06-27). "Ryan Gosling set for 'Lovely Bones'". = Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117967749.html?categoryId=13&cs=1. Retrieved 2007-06-27.
- ^ http://www.thereporteronline.com/articles/2007/11/02/past%20stories/20053111.txt
- ^ East Fallowfield Township Police Department (2007-11-02). "Intermittent Road Closures-Movie Production" (in English) (pdf). Press release. http://eastfallowfield.org/cms/images/pdfs/11-2pdpr.pdf. Retrieved 2007-11-12.
- ^ Tom Cardy (2008-12-20). "Eno signs up to write music for Lovely Bones". The Dominion Post. http://www.stuff.co.nz/4798626a1860.html. Retrieved 2008-12-21.
- ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/nov/17/peter-jackson-lovely-bones Peter Jackson: Lovely Bones test audience demanded more violence
- ^ "G.I. Joe, The Lovely Bones Release Dates". ComingSoon.net. 2007-11-19. http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=39450. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
- ^ "Box Office Mojo Theatrical Movie Schedule". 2008-12-05. http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=lovelybones.htm. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ "The Lovely Bones". Rotten Tomatoes. http://au.rottentomatoes.com/m/1189344-lovely_bones/. Retrieved November 27, 2009.
[edit] External links
- Official website
- Official press release at ComingSoon.net
- The Lovely Bones at Allmovie
- The Lovely Bones at the Internet Movie Database
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