Stephen King fans will be pleased to know that the TV adaptation of his best-selling 1998 novel “Bag of Bones” doesn’t stray too far from the classic approach: Murder. A cover-up. A quaint little town with secrets going back decades. And all the creepiness that usually ensues.
The story of Mike Noonan (Pierce Brosnan), an author suffering from writer’s block and the recent death of his wife and their unborn child, “Bag of Bones” is, in typical King fashion, a vehicle for a damaged man to delve into his own mind and blur the lines of paranormal activity and simple insanity. Things around the house are moving and Noonan is suddenly having conversations with his dead wife’s ghost via a bell. Sure, it sounds pretty hokey, but “Bag of Bones" bolsters its cred with compelling ensemble performances — most notably Anika Noni Rose as the specter of a ’30s blues singer and Melissa George as a beautiful young widow battling for custody of her daughter. It’s Brosnan’s work, however, that’s most engaging. For a certain generation, he’s Remington Steele; for another, he’s James Bond. Besides “Mamma Mia!,” Brosnan post-Bond has been rather understated, popping up in satirical indie films (“Salvation Boulevard”) and the occasional rom-com (“I Don’t Know How She Does It”); often, he’s chosen roles characterized by un-Bond-like quirkiness, and this brand of quirk — the “Is he going insane or is this lake town really killing people?” variety — suits him surprisingly well.
This is not to say that “Bag of Bones” is a perfect viewing experience; when a tree assumes a face and starts to talk, it’s not all that frightening. But fans of psychological horror, gruesome plot twists and Brosnan’s always-surprising range will walk away from this satisfied — and a bit disturbed. But what else would you expect from Stephen King?
“Bag of Bones” airs Sunday and Monday at 9 p.m. (8 p.m. Central) on A&E.
The story of Mike Noonan (Pierce Brosnan), an author suffering from writer’s block and the recent death of his wife and their unborn child, “Bag of Bones” is, in typical King fashion, a vehicle for a damaged man to delve into his own mind and blur the lines of paranormal activity and simple insanity. Things around the house are moving and Noonan is suddenly having conversations with his dead wife’s ghost via a bell. Sure, it sounds pretty hokey, but “Bag of Bones" bolsters its cred with compelling ensemble performances — most notably Anika Noni Rose as the specter of a ’30s blues singer and Melissa George as a beautiful young widow battling for custody of her daughter. It’s Brosnan’s work, however, that’s most engaging. For a certain generation, he’s Remington Steele; for another, he’s James Bond. Besides “Mamma Mia!,” Brosnan post-Bond has been rather understated, popping up in satirical indie films (“Salvation Boulevard”) and the occasional rom-com (“I Don’t Know How She Does It”); often, he’s chosen roles characterized by un-Bond-like quirkiness, and this brand of quirk — the “Is he going insane or is this lake town really killing people?” variety — suits him surprisingly well.
This is not to say that “Bag of Bones” is a perfect viewing experience; when a tree assumes a face and starts to talk, it’s not all that frightening. But fans of psychological horror, gruesome plot twists and Brosnan’s always-surprising range will walk away from this satisfied — and a bit disturbed. But what else would you expect from Stephen King?
“Bag of Bones” airs Sunday and Monday at 9 p.m. (8 p.m. Central) on A&E.
