You might be wondering if the 2009 film Lovely Bones is based on a true story. As we know, the eponymous film is based on the 2002 book written by Alice Sebold. The question of whether the film is based on a true story has come under light now and then. Even though it has been years since the official release of the film, the question, ‘is Lovely Bones based on a true story?’, keeps on lingering.
If you have watched the film and the same question is bothering you, you will have to read further to get your question answered. Also, even if you have not watched the film and are planning to do so, you can read further to know some information related to The Lovely Bones which will help you in understanding the film better.
In this article not only will you get to know if the movie is based on a real incident or not, but you will also get to know about its creators, plot, and cast.
Is The Lovely Bones Based On A True Story?
The film The Lovely Bones is not entirely based on a true incident. The movie is partially based on a true story. The case of rape and murder is based on a real-life incident that was inflicted upon a fourteen-year-old girl from Norristown.
In the book, on which the eponymous film is based, Alice Sebold has recorded her own experience with rape. Sebold was subjected to sexual assault and rape in 1981 in the same where the fourteen-year-old girl was raped, murdered, and dismembered.
The main protagonist of the movie suffers the same terrifying fate as the fourteen-year-old girl and faces death. It is after her death that she is faced with a difficult situation.
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Creators of The Lovely Bones
The Lovely Bones was directed by Peter Jackson. It was produced by Carolynne Cuningham, Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson, and Aimee Peyronnet. The movie was edited by Jabez Olssen. Andrew Lesnie was responsible for undertaking the cinematography of the film. Brian Eno was behind the musical aspect of the film. The production companies responsible for the creation of the film were DreamWorks Pictures, Film4 Productions, and WingNut Films. The movie was brought to the audience by Paramount Pictures.
The movie has its royal premiere on 24th November 2009 and limited release in the United States on 11th December 2009. The movie was later released on 26th December 2009 in New Zealand. The movie was once again released on 15th January 2010 widely in the United States. The United Kingdom saw its release on 29th January 2010.
The Lovely Bones Story
The Lovely Bones centers around a fourteen-year-old girl named Susie Salmon. She dreams of becoming a photographer one day. Like a normal teenager, she has a crush on a boy whom she asks out.
When Susie heads towards her home through a cornfield, she encounters George Harvey, her neighbor. He persuades her to accompany him to a ‘kid’s hideout’ that he built, and they both head towards that so-called ‘hideout’. Consequently, Susie becomes uncomfortable in the shady place, in George’s presence, and she tries to leave, but all in vain. Susie gets grabbed by Harvey immediately and everything fades into the dark.
Susie believes that she has escaped the clutches of Harvey, but later she finds out that she never did so. Instead, it was inside that hideout where she was murdered. In her afterlife, Susie is faced with the dilemma of whether to accept death and move to heaven, or stay in purgatory and punish the man who brutally raped and murdered her.
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The cast of The Lovely Bones
The Lovely Bones stars Saoirse Ronan, Susan Saradon, Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Stanley Tucci, and Michael Imperioli.
Saoirse Ronan played the role of the main protagonist Susie Salmon. Ronan herself was fourteen years old when she was cast for the role of Susie. Ronan’s family was not in favor of their daughter playing the role due to the portrayal of the sensitive subject matter, but they agreed to the casting of Ronan after having some talks with Peter Jackson.
Mark Wahlberg played Susie’s father as Jack Salmon and Rachel Weisz played Abigail Salmon, Susie’s mother.
Frequently Asked Questions
The movie is partially based on a true story.
Saoirse Ronan played the role of Susie Salmon.
Stanley Tucci played the role of George Harvey, the man who raped and murdered Susie.
She was raped, murdered, and dismembered by George Harvey.
No, her body was never found. Her body was dismembered and dumped into a well by her rapist and killer.
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