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I read some glowing reviews of this film by notable critics and decided to give it a go. Right from the off, there is this fable / fantasy type feel to it where we see two young boys have a rather difficult but at the same time magical life experience in Kabul, Afghanistan. Flying kites, getting into scrapes, telling stories etc The performances are mostly fine, especially from the two father figure types (Shaun Toub and Homayoun Ershadi) who's transformation into elderly characters is very striking.
The dialogue is adequate enough apart from the very end which references one of the earlier magical moments I alluded to. It's this type of overly sentimental and hollywoodized nature of the film that really detracts from the story. The plot is based on an interesting tale and apparently a fine book which I've not read, but the film is reliant on obvious, manipulative ways to try and trigger audience emotions. Unfortunately, this had the opposite effect because the actions feel manufactured and forced - making them contrived and trite.
The film wanted to be a hard hitting emotional drama portraying beautiful friendship, guilt, love and the brutal regime of the Taleban. But I couldn't help thinking of how it really was an award hungry poor adaptaion that could have been so much better. Maybe it's one of those movies that just can't translate from the book without being those things.
For a more honest, brutal drama about middle eastern life I'd recommend 'Turtles can fly'.
'The Kite Runner' (2008)
Directed by Marc Forster
Directed by Marc Forster
I read some glowing reviews of this film by notable critics and decided to give it a go. Right from the off, there is this fable / fantasy type feel to it where we see two young boys have a rather difficult but at the same time magical life experience in Kabul, Afghanistan. Flying kites, getting into scrapes, telling stories etc The performances are mostly fine, especially from the two father figure types (Shaun Toub and Homayoun Ershadi) who's transformation into elderly characters is very striking.
The dialogue is adequate enough apart from the very end which references one of the earlier magical moments I alluded to. It's this type of overly sentimental and hollywoodized nature of the film that really detracts from the story. The plot is based on an interesting tale and apparently a fine book which I've not read, but the film is reliant on obvious, manipulative ways to try and trigger audience emotions. Unfortunately, this had the opposite effect because the actions feel manufactured and forced - making them contrived and trite.
The film wanted to be a hard hitting emotional drama portraying beautiful friendship, guilt, love and the brutal regime of the Taleban. But I couldn't help thinking of how it really was an award hungry poor adaptaion that could have been so much better. Maybe it's one of those movies that just can't translate from the book without being those things.
For a more honest, brutal drama about middle eastern life I'd recommend 'Turtles can fly'.