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The
Kite Runner
(2007)
 
The best examples of storytelling convincingly
transport the audience into another world and into the lives
of the story's characters. This compelling drama successfully
does just that.
In Afghanistan of the 1970s, boys Amir (Zekeria Ebrahimi) and Hassan
(Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada) are friends who participate in the sport of
kite fighting together. Amir is the son of a liberal-minded
businessman (Homayoun Ershadi), while Hassan is the son of a family
servant (Nabi Tanha). After a traumatic incident, the boys grow
apart. When the Soviet army enters the country, Amir and his father
flee to the United States. Years later, a now adult Amir (Khalid
Abdalla) is called to Pakistan by his father's former business partner
(Shaun Toub), where his life once again intersects with that of his
childhood friend and his home country in unexpected ways.
Khaled Hosseini's bestselling novel is faithfully brought to the
screen by scriptwriter David Benioff (25th Hour, Troy and director
Marc Forster (Monster's Ball, Finding Neverland), who previously
collaborated on Stay, one of the best films of 2005. The
story's powerful narrative about friendship and responsibility packs
an emotional punch without pandering to sentiment, while providing a
vivid look at life in Afghanistan in two very different eras. It
starts out a bit slowly, but it's the carefully observed details of
the first act that lends such strength to the redemptive final act,
and the tension in the latter will have you on the edge of your seat.
Forster's finely honed direction opens a window into the souls of the
characters and their world, immersing the audience in an unfamiliar
setting with clarity and conviction.
The crisp cinematography of Roberto Schaefer (Monster's Ball,
Finding Neverland) is imbued with warmth in the early scenes, but
becomes harsh and desolate when the adult Amir returns to a country
now controlled by the Taliban. Because of the risk involved with
filming in Afghanistan, the production was instead shot in western
China, which production designer Carlos Conti (Wild Orchid, The
Motorcycle Diaries) convincingly uses to recreate Afghanistan of the
1970s and 2000. The Eastern-influenced score by Alberto Iglesias
(The Constant Gardener, Volver) effectively sets the mood for the
story.
This is a character driven film, and so the burden of bringing it to
life largely rests on the shoulders of its cast. Young Afghan actors
Ebrahimi and Mahmidzada are very believable as Amir and Hassan,
bringing authenticity and surprising depth to their performances.
Ershadi delivers a memorable and at times dryly funny performance as
Amir's father, while Toub is a warm presence as the father's business
partner and friend. Abdalla is quite good as the adult Amir, who
finally acts with the courage that failed him as a boy. Also
noteworthy are Atossa Leoni as a woman the older Amir falls in love
with; Qadir Farookh as her father, a former Afghan general; Maimoona
Ghizal as her mother; Saïd Taghmaoui as Amir's guide when he returns
home; Abdul Salam Yusoufzai as a Taliban member who Amir knew as a
boy; Ali Dinesh as Hassan's son; and Tanha as Hassan's father.
If you're looking for an intelligent drama with skilled performances
and genuine emotion, then look no further than The Kite Runner.
It's a very good film, and one that could be a contender at awards
time. One hopes that scriptwriter David Benioff and director Marc
Forster will collaborate again in the future.
-Danielle
Ní Dhighe
Other
Thoughts: Mark Moreland
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All contents ©
2004-2007 Thoughtsonfilm.com |
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Director:
Marc
Forster
Writer: David
Benioff, Khaled Hosseini
Starring: Zekeria Ebrahimi, Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada, Homayoun Ershadi, Nabi Tanha, Khalid
Abdalla, Shaun Toub
Distributor: Paramount
Classics
Runtime: 122
min
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: December
14, 2007
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