In My Heaven (Blu-Ray)

Film: Having more than successfully mastered the film adaptation of the "Lord of the Rings" books, Peter Jackson now ventures once again to adapt a novel that was considered unfilmable. Alice Sebold's "In My Heaven" is already considered a modern classic that demanded a great deal of creativity, flair, imagination and courage from Jackson and his team. The result splits viewers and critics into two camps. Especially in the USA Jackson had to take a lot of scolding for his latest film. But if you look closely, you at least have to admit that "In My Heaven" has become a very special film that won't let you go in a hurry.

Fourteen-year-old Susie Salmon (Saorise Ronan) actually has her whole life ahead of her. But then she is brutally murdered by her neighbor Mr. Harvey (Stanley Tucci). From the limbo that will eventually lead her to heaven, the girl must watch as her family threatens to crumble from the loss. Nothing more should really be revealed about the film's content. The story doesn't really come up with many surprises, as the identity of the murderer is known from the beginning. But experiencing this story, which is wonderful in all its cruelty, completely unencumbered is the best thing that can happen to you as a viewer.

Many critics in the U.S. have limited themselves to making the design of the tween world the focus of their reviews. For instance, the film as a whole has then been described as a 60s record cover come to life, or as a psychedelic trip that remains emotionally inane. Such criticism, however, in no way does the film justice. For "In My Sky" is very much more than just a rush of images. Admittedly, the in-between world leaves the strongest impression. Here, Susie's fears and desires, her dreams and memories are combined into a reality all her own that truly feels like a visual trip. But it's more the interaction between Susie, who is caught in limbo, and her family, whose breakdown Susie helplessly witnesses.

Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz may not seem like perfect casting at first glance. Wahlberg in particular just seems too young to really be taken seriously as a father of several. But once you get into it as a viewer, the really very good performances that both actors deliver open up to you. But there are four other actors whose performances lift this film far above the norm. First, there's Susan Sarandon, who serves as a very direct grandmother as a relieving element to a parent nearly crushed by the gravity of the situation. Her sometimes very tough, clear manner, with which she also confronts Susie's little brother, is just great.

Also absolutely convincing is Rose McIver, who plays Susie's sister Lindsey. In one scene in particular, one of the most tense moments in cinema in recent months, McIver inspires with an intensity that makes that moment almost unbearable for the viewer. Supporting her in this scene is the film's most impressive performer, Stanley Tucci. He really deserves all the praise he can get. On the one hand, for the courage to play a role like this. But also for the way he puts on the child killer Mr. Harvey. The "good neighbor", as Susie calls him before she murders him, is not obviously evil. His cruelty lurks behind a cagey but still bourgeois facade that Stanley Tucci makes as believable as it is menacingly real.

Last but not least, of course, we must mention Saoirse Ronan, who already wowed in the wonderful "Abbitte" and delivers another quite wonderful performance here. She does a first-rate job of conveying Susie's conflict of wanting to hold on to her life and family on the one hand, but having to let go in order to get to heaven on the other, with a greatness that is rather unusual for her age. All these great acting performances alone make "In My Heaven" quite a great film.

But other aspects also support this statement. Granted, especially those viewers who love the book are unlikely to like some of the changes and cuts Jackson has made. But there is one moment in the film that makes it quite clear why Jackson is the perfect director for this film. The way Jackson shows, or doesn't show, Susie's murder is absolutely magnificent and the best thing that could have happened to this film. The viewer is completely emotionally involved in this scene, but not repulsed. Given the gruesomeness of the crime, this is a real trick that few directors would have managed to pull off so convincingly.

You might be offended by the occasionally very colorful images of the in-between world and by the fact that the story gets a little too lost in kitsch at the end. To claim that "In my sky" therefore would not be a good film, is only little appropriate to the nevertheless very positive overall picture. Peter Jackson and his team have created something very unique, something special, which may not please everyone, but which you can not really escape. A wonderful film that makes you laugh, cry and dream. More does not really go.

Picture + Sound: Visually, both the 70s reality held in warm brown tones, as well as the sometimes much more colorful, sometimes very gloomy in-between world on the Blu-ray were very well implemented. The audio remains subdued for long stretches, dominated by the soft music and ambient sounds. Only the sound effects used here and there create a good sense of space.

Extras: On the second disc are a series of production diaries annotated by Peter Jackson, which can be viewed individually or in one piece, and which document the various aspects of the filming for just under three hours. Who now expects such a good insight into the shooting, as Peter Jackson has granted the fans with "King Kong", will be disappointed. For long stretches, this extensive documentary merely offers alternative takes or different perspectives on the shooting of certain scenes. Far too rarely do you get any real behind-the-scenes insight here. However, the comments Peter Jackson and others involved give on the respective shooting days are quite interesting and there are also one or two moments to see, which did not make it into the finished film. But this disc still can't stand up to comparison with the lavish extras of previous Jackson productions like "The Frighteners", "King Kong" and, of course, the "Lord of the Rings" films!

Conclusion: "In My Sky" divides viewers. I've talked to people who love the book and think the movie is disastrous, as well as those - including myself - who think Peter Jackson's ambitious film adaptation is just great. The Blu-ray is technically beyond reproach, but the bonus material offers more mass than class. Since one is simply used to better from Jackson.

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp