Many viewers have likely already seen The Lovely Bones, and I’ll try to avoid giving away too much of the plot. This film will probably stick with people because it marked a significant moment in Saoirse Ronan's career. It's also become one of the most divisive movies ever released, prompting strong reactions from audiences who generally fall into two groups: those supporting Salmon and those backing Harvey. The story begins seemingly normally, featuring a teenage girl preoccupied with boys in the 1970s who develops an attraction to a man at her school. It appears he’s interested in her too, and despite their age difference, she finds herself drawn to his charm, largely because of his status as an exchange student and his appealing accent. As the film unfolds, it becomes apparent that another man is also pursuing Susie's attention. This is Mr. Harvey, who lives near her. Unlike the boy from school, he makes a considerable effort to gain Susie’s affection, even constructing an elaborate underground clubhouse filled with things popular among young people of that time. He generously shared drinks like Coca-Cola while they spent time together. It was clear that although Mr. Harvey had good taste in women, he seemed uncomfortable around them. His awkwardness with Susie Salmon was noticeable, and she sensed it. I think girls generally prefer a man who projects confidence. Perhaps she was also put off by the fact that the Coke Mr. Harvey offered her wasn't cold; I didn’t notice an ice cooler anywhere in the clubhouse. So, I believe these factors contributed to Susie losing patience, which resulted in an unfortunate display of disrespect. Mr. Harvey had only one rule for his clubhouse: be polite. Susie Salmon disregarded this rule, and a series of events then unfolded into a large, regrettable sequence. There aren’t any villains in The Lovely Bones. Admittedly, Susie Salmon seemed somewhat self-centered and young, but she was only 14 years old. Mr. Harvey was socially awkward and made some poor decisions, but he genuinely wanted to be loved and valued. Despite his kindness and talents, it appeared that no one truly connected with him. The Lovely Bones is a film that will compel you to choose sides. Whether you align yourself with Team Harvey or Team Salmon, prepare for an emotionally intense experience. The performances are all quite good. 8/10.

Source on TMDB