The book captivated millions, and soon The Lovely Bones will be on the big screen, co-starring Susan Sarandon. The actress has played her share of heavy roles, including her Oscar-winning performance in Dead Man Walking, but she tells Rachael that it was refreshing to take on a lighter role in The Lovely Bones as the crazy grandmother. "For once, I wasn't the one who had lost the child; the heavy lifting was all Rachael's [Weisz] and I just got to come in and be a wise ass, which was such a relief!" Susan explains, "When you're not burdened with sincerity and you can say horrible things to people, it's so much fun! I get to be drunk and smoke cigarettes and say horrible things to children - it's really fun!"

As the holidays approach, Susan says that the perfect gift would be to make a donation in someone's name to Heifer International, an organization that brings animals such as goats, sheep, and heifers to those in impoverished areas of the world. "There's a little girl that I know who couldn't even go to school until Heifer gave her mother a goat," Susan says. "And the milk from that goat gave her the added income to be able go to school and eventually college." Susan adds that Heifer stays with the family to make sure they know how to raise that goat. "When that goat multiplies, they give them to someone else in the village so the gift keeps giving and they can pay it forward."

Speaking of animals, Susan brings along the newest member of her family, her half Pomeranian, half Maltese dog Penny. Watch the video above to see Penny checking out Rachael's set!

Related Links

Balsam Hill

Heifer International