Very much agree with your review. For me, it had a deep emotional impact as I imagine the soul of my own lost daughter watching over me, just as Susie did with her father. I cried though much of the movie; it was 'very close to the bone' for me. I think it was awesome how Peter Jackson portrayed a true and real connection between the daughter and the father.
It was nice how certain parts of the plot were revealed little pieces at a time - nothing is given away. There's enough mystery to sustain the entire movie, just the right mix of suspense, drama, tension, and a little bit of light-hearted humour too.
The cinematography is exemplary - from the way the barren ground (scene of the murder) is filmed, to the surreal landscapes in Susie's new world. All this is juxtaposed with the setting of 1973 - the fashions and the decor, the gritty suburban scenes, and the portrayal of the murder suspect - a slimy creepy old man with a scale model doll's house, and building a 'duck trap' on his back lawn!
I remember seeing Saoirse Ronan in Atonement and she was brilliant in that. Easily my favourite young actress at the moment. The Lovely Bones would have to be one of Peter Jackson's best films, on a par with Heavenly Creatures. I would also give it 4/5.. perhaps not so much a 5/5 because I think many people would probably want it perhaps a bit more condensed like a traditional action movie / psychological thriller, the pacing and emotional content may not be for everyone.
Highly recommended. Best emotional drama I've seen since Gran Torino, The Lovely Bones perhaps trumps it as a more multidimensional film.
