# The Bone Collector

> 1999 film directed by Phillip Noyce

**Wikidata**: [Q581178](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q581178)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bone_Collector)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-bone-collector

## Summary
The Bone Collector is a 1999 American thriller film directed by Phillip Noyce, based on the novel by Jeffery Deaver. It stars Denzel Washington as a quadriplegic detective and Angelina Jolie as a rookie cop who team up to catch a serial killer in New York City.

## Key Facts
- Release date: January 1, 1999 (USA)
- Director: Phillip Noyce
- Based on: Novel "The Bone Collector" by Jeffery Deaver
- Main cast: Denzel Washington, Angelina Jolie, Queen Latifah
- Genre: Thriller, Crime, Mystery
- Production company: Universal Pictures
- Country of origin: United States
- Runtime: 118 minutes
- IMDb ID: tt0145681
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 29%
- Metacritic score: 45/100
- Box office: $27,828,200 (domestic)
- Website: http://www.thebonecollector.com

## FAQs
**What is the plot of The Bone Collector?**
The film follows Lincoln Rhyme, a brilliant but paralyzed forensic detective, who teams up with young patrol officer Amelia Donaghy to track down a serial killer who leaves cryptic clues based on the bones of his victims. As they race against time, the killer's game becomes increasingly personal and dangerous.

**Who are the main actors in The Bone Collector?**
Denzel Washington stars as Lincoln Rhyme, the quadriplegic detective, while Angelina Jolie plays Amelia Donaghy, the rookie cop who becomes his eyes and ears at crime scenes. Queen Latifah appears as Thelma, Rhyme's nurse and caretaker.

**What is the source material for The Bone Collector?**
The film is based on the 1997 novel "The Bone Collector" by American author Jeffery Deaver, which was the first in his Lincoln Rhyme series of crime novels.

**What genre does The Bone Collector belong to?**
The Bone Collector is primarily a thriller film, with strong elements of crime drama and mystery. It focuses on forensic investigation and the psychological cat-and-mouse game between detectives and a serial killer.

**How was The Bone Collector received by critics?**
The film received mixed reviews from critics, with a 29% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 45/100. While praised for its performances, particularly Washington's, it was criticized for its formulaic plot and graphic violence.

## Why It Matters
The Bone Collector matters as a significant entry in the late-1990s thriller genre, showcasing the talents of two of Hollywood's biggest stars at the time. It helped establish Angelina Jolie as a leading actress capable of carrying major studio films, following her breakthrough in "Gia." The film also demonstrated Denzel Washington's range by casting him in a physically demanding role that required him to convey emotion and intelligence while largely immobilized. As an adaptation of a popular crime novel, it contributed to the trend of bringing literary detective series to the screen, paving the way for other adaptations in the genre. The film's focus on forensic science and criminal psychology reflected and perhaps influenced the growing public fascination with these fields, which would later explode with television series like "CSI."

## Notable For
- Denzel Washington's physically challenging role as a quadriplegic detective
- Angelina Jolie's first major starring role in a big-budget Hollywood thriller
- Graphic depiction of crime scenes and forensic investigation for its time
- Adaptation of a popular crime novel series
- Successful box office performance despite mixed critical reception
- Contribution to the late-1990s trend of serial killer thrillers
- Demonstration of Universal Pictures' confidence in emerging talent (Jolie)

## Body
### Production and Release
The Bone Collector was produced by Universal Pictures and released on January 1, 1999, in the United States. The film had a production budget of approximately $73 million and went on to gross $27,828,200 domestically at the box office. Internationally, it performed well, contributing to a worldwide total that made it a commercial success despite its mixed critical reception.

### Creative Team
Phillip Noyce directed the film, bringing his experience from thrillers like "Clear and Present Danger" and "Patriot Games." The screenplay was adapted by Jeremy Iacone from Jeffery Deaver's novel. Dean Cundey served as cinematographer, known for his work on "Jurassic Park" and "Apollo 13." The film's score was composed by Craig Armstrong, who would later gain acclaim for his work on "Moulin Rouge!" and "Love Actually."

### Cast and Characters
Denzel Washington stars as Lincoln Rhyme, a former NYPD detective who becomes a quadriplegic after an accident on the job. Washington's performance required him to convey complex emotions and intelligence while being physically limited to head and facial movements for much of the film. Angelina Jolie plays Amelia Donaghy, a patrol officer with a natural talent for forensics who becomes Rhyme's protégée. Queen Latifah appears as Thelma, Rhyme's dedicated nurse who helps him with daily tasks and provides emotional support.

### Adaptation from Novel
The film is based on Jeffery Deaver's 1997 novel "The Bone Collector," the first in his Lincoln Rhyme series. While the core plot remains faithful to the source material, the adaptation made several changes for cinematic purposes, including condensing some subplots and altering certain character dynamics. The novel's intricate forensic details were preserved, though some technical aspects were simplified for general audiences.

### Genre and Style
As a thriller, The Bone Collector employs classic genre elements: a brilliant but flawed protagonist, a cunning serial killer, a race against time, and a series of gruesome crime scenes. The film's visual style emphasizes the gritty reality of New York City and the meticulous nature of forensic investigation. Director Phillip Noyce uses suspenseful pacing and strategic reveals to maintain tension throughout the narrative.

### Critical Reception
Upon release, The Bone Collector received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 29% approval rating based on reviews from 90 critics. The consensus states that while the film features strong performances, particularly from Washington, it relies too heavily on genre clichés. Metacritic assigned the film a score of 45 out of 100, indicating "mixed or average reviews." Roger Ebert gave the film 3 out of 4 stars, praising Washington's performance and the film's ability to maintain suspense.

### Cultural Impact
The Bone Collector contributed to the late-1990s trend of serial killer thrillers, following in the footsteps of films like "Seven" and "The Silence of the Lambs." It helped establish Angelina Jolie as a bankable leading actress, leading to her casting in major franchises like "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider." The film's focus on forensic science and criminal psychology anticipated the public's growing fascination with these fields, which would later be reflected in the success of television series like "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation."

### Technical Aspects
The film's production design by Paul Sylbert created a convincing representation of New York City's urban landscape and the high-tech forensics lab where much of the investigation takes place. The cinematography by Dean Cundey uses a muted color palette to reflect the grim nature of the crimes being investigated. The editing by William Hoy maintains a brisk pace that keeps the audience engaged while allowing time for character development.

### Legacy
While not considered a classic of the thriller genre, The Bone Collector remains a notable entry in the careers of its lead actors and director. It demonstrated the commercial viability of adapting popular crime novels for the screen and contributed to the ongoing evolution of the forensic thriller subgenre. The film's success helped pave the way for other adaptations of Jeffery Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme novels, though none would achieve the same level of mainstream recognition as this initial film adaptation.

## References

1. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/kolekcjoner-kosci)
2. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0145681/)
3. [Source](https://filmow.com/o-colecionador-de-ossos-t5585/)
4. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/es/film979048.html)
5. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-bone-collector)
6. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0145681/fullcredits)
7. The Movie Database
8. The Bone Collector. Rotten Tomatoes
9. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0145681/releaseinfo)
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. Kinopoisk
12. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/bone-collector/)
13. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/bone-collector-the/)
14. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
15. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=22329.html)
16. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
17. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/98630)
18. Cineplex
19. [Jefferson Sage - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0756061/#credits)
20. mymovies.it
21. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/4027-4611-F47F-BFDC-8765-Z)
22. Danish Film Database
23. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/91447)
24. TheTVDB
25. Trakt.tv
26. FilmVandaag.nl