Based on the best-selling novel by Alice Sebold, The Lovely Bones is a story about a girl who is murdered and, while looking down on her family from the "in-between" world, she is forced to choose between vengeance on her killer or to let go so that her family can heal.

I had the chance to check out the movie in a press screening and thought it was amazing.

It's a captivating, emotional tale. Saoirse Ronan plays Susie Salmon, the girl who is lured to her death by the extremely ordinary Mr. Harvey (played by Stanley Tucci). Ronan puts on a brilliant performance, nailing the emotional waves that are so important to this role.

She narrates from beyond the grave in an "in-between" world, as she looks down on her family. Director Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings trilogy) does not disappoint and creates a magical realm whose effects are triggered by her emotions.

Mark Wahlberg plays her father, Jack Salmon. When his daughter doesn't come home from school that fateful day, he throws himself into an obsession of finding her, and in doing so, pushes away the other members of his family and goes a bit mad in his search, accusing anyone and everyone.

I think we can all agree that losing a child is a parent's worst nightmare, which made this role extremely challenging. Yet, Wahlberg delivers a terrific performance. I had the opportunity to chat with Mark about the film and his role. Be sure to check out the interview in tomorrow's Entertainment Buzz.

"These were the lovely bones that had grown around my absence: the connections — sometimes tenuous, sometimes made at great cost, but often magnificent — that happened after I was gone."

The Lovely Bones is set to hit theaters on January 15, 2010.

Did you read the book, The Lovely Bones? Will you go see this movie?

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