The cardinal rule of “show, don’t tell,” when writing or moviemaking is unfortunately the one Peter Jackson decided to boldly break while directing this much-anticipated film. The Lovely Bones, based on Alice Sebold’s bestselling novel, was more of a disconnected smorgasbord of genres, themes and tones jumbled together within a monstrous montage than a movie. Perhaps Ms. Sebold will find it flattering that the writers tried desperately to not merely adapt the novel, but transfer it onto the big screen; audiences, however, will find it overwhelming.

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