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| Movie Review: The Kite Runner Alternate Title: Shame, Lies and Redemption
Story: Just like millions of
other fans, I loved the book. I was hesitant to see the film, but I
can attest that if you are a fan, or even if you did not read the book,
you should fly to the theater to see this heartfelt adaptation as it
makes a fine transition to the big screen. Director Marc Forster
(Monster's Ball, Finding Neverland) with a screenplay by David
Benioff, stays steadfast to the tenor, nuance and soul of the
novel by Khaled Hosseini. The film opens in 1978 as two Afghani boys from
different social classes are friends despite the stigma of class. An
ugly incident separates the boys as guilt, shame and lies break them
apart. Compound this with the horrendous Soviet invasion as both families
go their separate ways. The story unfolds as the history of Afghanistan
plays out in the background. How one boy, now a man, tries to redress
his wrongs and assuage his guilt is the heart of the second half of
the film. It is a tale about betrayal, tradition, class,
guilt, shame, cowardice and ultimate redemption. These powerful themes
running through the film combined with solid production values, fine
acting and terrific music make for one very fine film. Go - you will
learn from it. Predilection: I loved the book. Critters: A German Sheperd and lots of goats (who
end up in the food category below).
Food: See above goat and of course, Kabobs galore.
Sex Spectrum: There is a sensitively filmed, but effective
child rape scene.
Blatant Product Placement: War is hell.
Soundtrack: A fine eclectic array of music from Alberto
Iglesias
Opening Titles: A beautiful graphic of all the names
presented in the glorious Islamic calligraphy style.
Visual Art: Cinematographer Roberto Schaefer
does an amazing job of recreating Kabul.
Theater Audience: A handful of book loving people
who were also nervous they would not like the film but afterwards we
had a mini-discussion and all agreed it was not a disappointment.
Weather: It is cold in the winter in Afghanistan (
even though it was filmed in China)
Sappy Factor: 0
Squirm Scale: 1 - There is some squirming over the
bullying and the horrifying emergence of the Taliban.
Drift Factor: I was hooked form the titles.
Predictability Level: High if you read the book.
Probably high if you did not read the book too.
Tissue Usage: I wept a little.
Oscar Worthy: Why not? The adaptation was terrific.
Big Screen or Rental: Big screen for sure.
Length: Two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 9 |