A Message in the Bottle – Spiritual Connection Between Living and Dead, Father and Daughter

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A Message in the Bottle – Spiritual Connection Between Living and Dead, Father and Daughter. Almost every day the local news broadcasts stories of rape, murder, shootings, kidnapping, and thievery to its audience. But what is it missing? Through these short segments and stories, the day-to-day life of someone closely related to a victim is not depicted. How, then, does a person know how to react when one whom they loved is torn from them? For most, merely burying themselves in grief and depression is not an option; one must continue to live and fulfill the duties of a daughter, brother, wife, or father. In the film produced by Peter Jackson “The Lovely Bones”( based on Alice Sebold’s novel of the same title), Jack Salmon does an adequate job of keeping his composure as he suffers the loss of his daughter and wife. This essay is devoted to the father figure presented in the film, and to the prominently displayed father-daughter relations. The Salmons are a typical family of two parents, and three children: fourteen-year-old Susie, thirteen-year-old Lindsey, and three-year-old Buckley. However, one day a tragedy happens to the family. Susie Salmon (Saoirse Ronan), is murdered on 16th December 1973 by her neighbour, Mr George Harvey (Stanley Tucci). The heart wrenching story is delivered through the perspective of Susie – before and after the tragic incident befell on her. From her ‘in-between’, Susie observes the trauma on her family and the horrific crimes of her pedophile murderer. The movie begins by showing what the family was like prior to the tragedy. It portrays the personality, youthful enthusiasm, dreams and hopes of Susie, as well as the idyllic and loving family. Susie’s mother, Abigail (Rachel Weisz), was a warm and capable homemaker; while her father, Jack (Mark Wahlberg) was a nerdy accountant who has soft spot for Susie. Most parents say that they

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