Filmmaker Peter Jackson has never been shy about putting gore and violence into his movies. Before becoming one of the best-known directors working today, the New Zealander was famous, or infamous, for a string of wacky, and very gory, horror comedies. They called the genre "splatstick." But after he received an Oscar nod for 'Heavenly Creatures,' the film that introduced Kate Winslet to the world (thank you, Peter), Jackson backed off of the gore and embraced the big-time. His 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy grossed nearly $3 billion dollars internationally and won dozens of Oscars, including Best Picture. But at its heart, 'Lord of the Rings' was a redemptive tale, the hero's journey. The films had their share of violence and suffering (poor Frodo), but violence and suffering wasn't the point.
But at a recent screening of his new film, 'The Lovely Bones' (based on Alice Sebold's best-selling novel), Jackson was taken aback when a character's death scene received a lackluster reception. "They were simply not satisfied," Jackson said. "They wanted far more violence." Suddenly, the violence and the suffering were the point, and Jackson was quick to oblige. The filmmaker went back into the editing room "to basically add more violence and suffering ... to give people the satisfaction they needed."
'The Lovely Bones' stars Academy Award nominee (for 'Atonement') Saoirse Ronan as Susie, a 14-year-old girl who, after being brutally murdered, watches her mother and father from her new vantage point: heaven (or, as Sebold refers to it, "the in between"). Played by Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz, Susie's parents mourn and struggle to bring her killer to justice, and not necessarily the kind that involves the law.
It's unusual, and potentially risky, for a filmmaker to up the violence in a film. Jackson acknowledged that it was important for his film to receive the Academy's PG-13 rating, rather than the more restrictive R. Many in Hollywood view PG-13 as the golden goose of ratings. They feel that PG-13 films can reach the widest possible audience. And a bigger audience means a bigger B.O. take, something that becomes particularly important when a film's budget gets anywhere over $50 million.
Jackson has made some epic films and spent equally epic amounts of money to make them. The cost to make 'The Lovely Bones' is rumored at a relatively affordable $65 million. So, will a more violent death tip 'The Lovely Bones' into the R camp? We'll have to wait and see. Jackson may well have to make one more trip to the editing room before his latest film hits theaters this December.
Reader Comments (19)
Sherry at 2:32PM on Nov 17th 2009
Like there isn't enough violence in the world! Apparently the real murders of children isn't shocking enough, this guy thinks it's "entertainment". It's disgusting!!
Tom at 3:45PM on Nov 17th 2009
First... it is a movie based on a well known book.
Second... the audience wanted it which is who directors and film makers are trying to please.
Third... don't go see it if you can't tell the difference between reality and movies.
Lauren at 4:01PM on Nov 17th 2009
You obvioulsy haven't read the book. Any movie based on this book that is rated PG-13 is cutting out some major parts. Even my highschool English teacher is disappointed by the rating because he thinks it'll ruin the impact of the book. So, how about you put the crazy, soccer-mom censorer trope away until you actually see the source material, then go ahead and criticize him for 'ruining our country', instead of telling a beautiful story that teaches you a lesson about REAL LIFE, which is where violent stuff happens, genius.
Vin at 4:17PM on Nov 17th 2009
Idiot soccer mom. People die all the time. People die bloody deaths. Don't you remember that guy in cleveland who brutally raped and slaughtered 11 women? Besides, anyone who can't tell the difference between a movie and reality have more to worry about then a violent scene in a movie.
jojo at 6:40PM on Nov 17th 2009
sounds like sherry needs to get laid
Sabrina at 8:47AM on Dec 24th 2009
He isn't adding gratutitous violence to book to make people happy. It is PART OF THE STORY! That is how Susie dies! She is raped, murdered, and dismembered. It is horrific but that is how it happens. To not put it in the movie is a gross misreprentation of the story and completely disrespectul to the writer. If Peter Jackson isn't willing to put in the actual rape and death scene of Susie, then he should cancel the whole project. Her rape and death in the story is, while graphic, are also part of the driving force of the plot. Lovely Bones is one of the most beautifully written books I have ever read. Instead of trying to censor it because it might skew your little precious's sense of false reality that you have probably taught her, why not actually read it for yourself and then, have a conversation with your kid about the subject. If you want kid friendly movies, go to Dinsey and stop trying to censor other peoples work. I bet if they try to make a movie about "Lucky" (the actual story of Alice Sebolds rape and pursuit of justice for her rapist) people will complain about that too. I bet there will be to much "rape" in it.
Andre at 4:18PM on Nov 17th 2009
Well, I'm out as far this film goes. While the film concerns a murder, it isn't necessary to traumatize people by it's depiction, and if Jackson thinks the audience for this film is the same as 'Friday the 13th', or 'Saw', he's in for a for bitter disappointment.
Courtney at 6:53PM on Nov 17th 2009
I don't think the movie needs a violent scene because as anyone who has read the book knows, susie (the narrator)doesn't describe her own murder in graphic detail. it is more the sex (even though it wasn't really graphic either) that should get the movie an r-rating rather than the violence.
Dave Britton at 4:51PM on Nov 17th 2009
It's sad when violence, vulgar language and sex is needed to sell these films. The art value of the film is appears to be secondary. It's time we begin to appreciate films without desensitizing ourselves to the big three.
Bran at 7:21PM on Nov 17th 2009
It is impossible to accurately portray human beings without the "big three" as you put it, because those things are intrinsic to who and what we are. We are violent at times, we are vulgar at times, and only an uptight moron has any kind of problem with sex. Now, certainly, children should be shielded from such things, because it takes a great deal of maturity to be able to deal with the reality of what we are. The problem is that there are many adults such as yourself who have yet to reach that level of maturity.
Stacey at 5:20PM on Nov 17th 2009
Oh.My.God.People. Read a frigging book. Pick up a newspaper. Go to a museum. Quit sitting on the couch, watching "Dancing with the Stars" and "I didn't Know I was Pregnant" and enjoy the true art available to you!! "The Lovely Bones" is a gorgeous book written by a courageous survivor. It's a tale of young love, and lost innocence, of violence, and of redemption. It has devastatingly sad parts, and upliftingly funny parts, and so many REAL moments. To dismiss the film because it contains violence is ignorant, ridiculous, and WRONG.
bg at 7:22PM on Nov 17th 2009
Now this was a helpful comment! Thanks!
bob at 5:34PM on Nov 17th 2009
just farted
E at 8:36AM on Nov 18th 2009
I dont think its the kids death theyre talking about
Kay at 6:36PM on Nov 22nd 2009
I am older and not into violence or watching emotional pain. I think you can have a tremendous impact just through implication, if you are a really good story teller with great actors. I'm staying away from this movie because of the violence. Can anyone write a good screen play any more?
Carmen at 9:36AM on Dec 24th 2009
Tell it like it is and do the book justice, as well as the young girl. It is "her" story!
Lacy at 12:02PM on Dec 24th 2009
A movie can never really depict how the book is. It's pretty well impossible. Books are wonderful because the reader can use their imagination to create a movie in their mind! In turn, making movies a let down cause it never lives up to what you make it out to be. For this particular scene everyone is concerned about, theres no reason to make it so violent on film. Come on, you know whats happening. You know how horrible it is! Why do you need to see every single little detail about it? It's not needed! You get the description...again you see it in your mind. You don't need to see it on film to know.
A.P. at 11:08PM on Dec 29th 2009
Do we really need a violent scene to make a movie good? It's just one scene get over it. Do you really want to see a little girl having sex with an older man.
S,B at 6:29PM on Jan 17th 2010
The movie was excellent and should win a lot of awards. I watched them film this and was surprised to see a Scene left out that they did take after take on. Mark Wahlberg was hit by a car in town and rolled on the ground over and over again. That was left out and they did that over and over again for 2 days. It was very dramatic and looks like it will be a Huge box office hit.