The Kite Runner
3.5/4
Starring: Khalid Abdalla, Homayoun Ershadi, Shaun Toub, Zekeria Ebrahimi, Ahmad Khan Mahmoodzada, Atossa Leoni
Rated PG-13 for Strong Thematic Material including the Rape of a Child, Violence and Brief Strong Language
Guilt and redemption are common themes in storytelling because they are so powerful. We make mistakes as human beings; it's how we grow up. But when we do, we must make amends no matter how much it hurts.
Afghanistan was a much different place in the 1970's, before the Soviets invaded. People danced, music played, and lamb kabobs cooked in the streets. Amir (Ebrahimi) lives with his wealthy father, Baba (Ershadi) in Kabul. His best friend, Hassan (Mahmoodzada) is a servant there with his father. The two are as close as can be, and make a killer team when it comes to kite fighting. After winning a tournament, Hassan chases the fallen kite, but is brutally assaulted by a bully. Angry and confused, Amir betrays his friend by lying to his father. Hassan and his father leave.
Cut to 2000, San Francisco. Amir (Abdalla) and his father have settled into the United States, albeit with a lot less money. Amir marries the lovely Soraya (Leoni). Then he gets a call from an old friend. Rahim Khan (Toub), Baba's old business partner, has beckoned him back to Pakistan. Hassan has died, and his son, Sohrab (Ali Danish Bakhtyari) has been sent to an orphanage. Rahim tells him that by rescuing Hassan's son, he can redeem himself from what he did to his friend, who was never anything less than loyal.
When it comes to books, I take critics with a grain of salt. Most of the books that the high class critics recommend are so dense that they're impossible to digest. I remember reading the first few pages of "Blood Meridian" by Cormac McCarthy on my iPad. It didn't take me long to set it aside and read something more entertaining. But Khaled Hosseini wrote a book that relied on good storytelling rather than trying to impress someone. I was amazed at how fast I read it and how deeply it made me feel.
The film isn't quite as good, but in the hands of the supremely talented Marc Foster, it's almost as good as it could be. By necessity, he and screenwriter David Benioff have excised some details or altered things to make it a successful cinematic adaptation (it's been years since I've read it, so I can't say exactly, although there is one instance where too much is cut).
The first act is the weakest. The acting isn't as strong as it could be, so it takes a while to get a feel for the characters. Once the film's catalyst takes place, the film finds its groove.
As is the case for Foster's work (I'm going to pretend that "Quantum of Solace" was directed by an imposter), the acting is strong. All of the cast members have their weak moments (especially the young stars, who were acting in a film for the first time), but overall it is very good. Khalid Abdalla is excellent; kind but sensitive. It's impossible not to form an emotional bond with him right off the bat (ironically, he played one of the terrorists in the film "United 93" a year earlier). Homayoun Ershadi is excellent as Baba; sometimes stern, but always loving. Shaun Toub is also excellent as the wise and caring Rahim Khan. All three deserved Oscar nominations (which none of them got).
Marc Foster is a storyteller who pays attention to acting and character development. The film looks great, yes, but Foster isn't making a travelogue or a special effects extravaganza. He's telling a story, and while it would be hard to completely botch it, it is better than one could ever hope.
That all being said, I have to raise an objection to the film's PG-13 rating. Putting it mildly, it's an embarrassment for the MPAA, and one of their most egregious. I don't know what they were smoking, but no film that features the rape of a child should be anything less than an R. No matter how carefully it's edited (considering how obviously it steps on tiptoes, it's a little insulting for the viewer and especially those who have been assaulted). I've seen movies get an NC-17 rating for less.
Starring: Khalid Abdalla, Homayoun Ershadi, Shaun Toub, Zekeria Ebrahimi, Ahmad Khan Mahmoodzada, Atossa Leoni
Rated PG-13 for Strong Thematic Material including the Rape of a Child, Violence and Brief Strong Language
Guilt and redemption are common themes in storytelling because they are so powerful. We make mistakes as human beings; it's how we grow up. But when we do, we must make amends no matter how much it hurts.
Afghanistan was a much different place in the 1970's, before the Soviets invaded. People danced, music played, and lamb kabobs cooked in the streets. Amir (Ebrahimi) lives with his wealthy father, Baba (Ershadi) in Kabul. His best friend, Hassan (Mahmoodzada) is a servant there with his father. The two are as close as can be, and make a killer team when it comes to kite fighting. After winning a tournament, Hassan chases the fallen kite, but is brutally assaulted by a bully. Angry and confused, Amir betrays his friend by lying to his father. Hassan and his father leave.
Cut to 2000, San Francisco. Amir (Abdalla) and his father have settled into the United States, albeit with a lot less money. Amir marries the lovely Soraya (Leoni). Then he gets a call from an old friend. Rahim Khan (Toub), Baba's old business partner, has beckoned him back to Pakistan. Hassan has died, and his son, Sohrab (Ali Danish Bakhtyari) has been sent to an orphanage. Rahim tells him that by rescuing Hassan's son, he can redeem himself from what he did to his friend, who was never anything less than loyal.
When it comes to books, I take critics with a grain of salt. Most of the books that the high class critics recommend are so dense that they're impossible to digest. I remember reading the first few pages of "Blood Meridian" by Cormac McCarthy on my iPad. It didn't take me long to set it aside and read something more entertaining. But Khaled Hosseini wrote a book that relied on good storytelling rather than trying to impress someone. I was amazed at how fast I read it and how deeply it made me feel.
The film isn't quite as good, but in the hands of the supremely talented Marc Foster, it's almost as good as it could be. By necessity, he and screenwriter David Benioff have excised some details or altered things to make it a successful cinematic adaptation (it's been years since I've read it, so I can't say exactly, although there is one instance where too much is cut).
The first act is the weakest. The acting isn't as strong as it could be, so it takes a while to get a feel for the characters. Once the film's catalyst takes place, the film finds its groove.
As is the case for Foster's work (I'm going to pretend that "Quantum of Solace" was directed by an imposter), the acting is strong. All of the cast members have their weak moments (especially the young stars, who were acting in a film for the first time), but overall it is very good. Khalid Abdalla is excellent; kind but sensitive. It's impossible not to form an emotional bond with him right off the bat (ironically, he played one of the terrorists in the film "United 93" a year earlier). Homayoun Ershadi is excellent as Baba; sometimes stern, but always loving. Shaun Toub is also excellent as the wise and caring Rahim Khan. All three deserved Oscar nominations (which none of them got).
Marc Foster is a storyteller who pays attention to acting and character development. The film looks great, yes, but Foster isn't making a travelogue or a special effects extravaganza. He's telling a story, and while it would be hard to completely botch it, it is better than one could ever hope.
That all being said, I have to raise an objection to the film's PG-13 rating. Putting it mildly, it's an embarrassment for the MPAA, and one of their most egregious. I don't know what they were smoking, but no film that features the rape of a child should be anything less than an R. No matter how carefully it's edited (considering how obviously it steps on tiptoes, it's a little insulting for the viewer and especially those who have been assaulted). I've seen movies get an NC-17 rating for less.
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