Amir, I have to tell you something.......
I believe what makes "The Kite Runner" such a fantastic, memorable film is it's treatment of world events. There is no political message, just a human one. Since it begins in a country which is mostly Muslim, there would be a tendency to treat the principles as less than they are. How much does the average American actually know about Afghanistan? The treatment this film received, in telling the story which was first released as a book, is exceptionally informative. The caste system is placed alongside center stage, so that one can see the effect it has in Afghan Society (prior to the Soviet invasion). The system also caused the barbarity seen during Taliban rule.

The story of the two principles, is one of love, faithfulness, betrayal and redemption. I would caution readers to not look too far for more information to this story, except to read the book the film is based on. Another reviewer stated that the book and film are companions to each other, and I wholeheartedly agree! I watched this film last night, and I was profoundly touched by it. "The Kite Runner" is a must-see!

There are interviews with the Director, and Author of book, as well as a "making-of" segment. Five stars for one of the best films this year, if not decade.

A Review Through the Eyes of Someone Who Read the Book First - A No Spoiler Review
First I'll promise you that there will be no spoilers and that this will be a very general review.

The Story: It's a story about redemption. The story takes place in Afghanistan and it does an excellent job of making you feel like you are really viewing a foreign country. I don't know how historically accurate it all may be, but it fooled me and that's good enough for me. There really aren't any "action" scenes. This movie is all about characters and story.

As I said in the title, I'm viewing this movie having read the book a month or two ago. Overall, I think they did a good job of capturing all of the major plots from the book but there was quite a bit of material missing that helped you connect with each character. I watched the film with my girlfriend and at certain points I wondered if she really understood what the characters were feeling and I paused the movie to tell her about certain points that were made in the book to help her appreciate more what each character was thinking.

Personally, I feel its unfair to compare a movie based on a book to the actual book because the book is almost guaranteed to be better and I don't believe that a story that works as a book will necessarily work as a movie. A movie also has to condense a lot of story into a very short time span that can be seen in one sitting, so thats a big disadvantage.

Having said all of that, my girlfriend cried so the movie did touch her. It's difficult to assess how good the movie stands on its own because I knew the characters so well having read the book, so if you've read the book and want to re-live this story in a much shorter span than it would take to read the book over, then I think you'll love it.

I'm giving it five stars, but I'm not looking at it as a stand-alone story or as an alternative to the book, but more as a partner to the book.

Not as good as the book...
But very few films ever match or surpass a book. The movie kept true to the story. Thankfully, some events were alluded to rather than be portrayed. Due to time restrictions, some relationships were either not explained or were not as indepth as I would have preferred. Some people found the subtitles annoying. If you're one who hates to read his movie, this is not for you. Personally, I enjoyed hearing the language of Afghan. This movie isn't a family movie as the subject matter would be too much for young viewers to grasp, much less be able to read fast enough for the subtitles. I love the way the movie has changed my friends perceptions of Afghanistan and the ensuing conversations the movie wrought. A definite keeper for my DVD collection.

A Tale of Friendship and Political Upheaval


"The Kite Runner" is epic in scope, telling the story of the Afghani Amir against political upheavals in his native country, his growing up, and eventual immigration to the United States. The film is bookended by the present-day Amir (Khalid Abdalla), a successful writer, and is told as an extended flashback to Afghanistan before and during the Russian invasion.
Young Amir (Zekeria Ebrahimi) grows up with his best friend, Hassan (Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada), who has been taken in by his wealthy father, Baba (Homayoun Ershadi). Hassan is from a provincial tribe apart from the mainstream Muslim practitioners who would eventually become the ruling Taliban. Though he is constantly bullied, Hassan is always ready to defend his timid friend Amir.
After a brutal assault on Hassan, which Amir witnesses but is too frightened to come to Hassan's aid, the relationship between the two friends changes. The country is shortly thereafter invaded by the Russians, and Amir and his family begin a frightening attempt to elude the invaders and get out of Afghanistan.
Based on the novel by Khalid Hosseini, "The Kite Runner" is a captivating story about friendship, family, how war creates personal turmoil, and how events experienced at a young age follow one and mold him into the adult he becomes. Director Marc Forster ("Monster's Ball," "Finding Neverland") structures his film like a three-act play. The first third is the richest as he shows us the wonderful relationship of the two young friends, who become the reigning neighborhood kite-flying team. Amir controls the kite, attempting to cut the string of other boys' kites. When he succeeds, Hassan -- the kite runner -- darts through narrow streets to retrieve the stringless kite as a trophy. The scenes of kite flying, enhanced by a bit of computer magic, metaphorically underscore the innocence and freedom of childhood. This is the boys' life and joy. The concerns of adulthood ae not theirs and some dark secrets are still well hidden.
When the Russians invade Afghanistan, the film shifts into its second act and follows Amir and his father's escape from Afghanistan to Pakistan, their subsequent immigration to America, and Amir's coming of age.
The final act brings Amir back to Taliban-run Afghanistan on a quest he must not avoid. In this part of the film, there are several significant revelations made, both to Amir and the audience.
The two young actors who dominate the early part of the film are extraordinary, and turn in extremely affecting performances. Much of the success of the film is owed to them, since they beautifully connect with the viewer, elicit empathy, and involve us. Rarely, from children this young, do we see such high-level, competent acting. We never for a moment see the performances as anything but real.
Ershadi, as Baba, is also exceptional. Whether he is criticizing religious fanatics, cursing communism, watching his son compete successfully in kite flying, or imperiling his own life by standing up for the honor of a stranger, he conveys dignity, courage, and arrogance, as required, making his Baba a well developed, if flawed, character.
Because the adult Amir is a low-key and laid back, Adballa succeeeds in the tough task of making us care about him. His journey -- both emotional and physical -- changes him and is as enlightening for him as it is dangerous. This Amir is not a hero in the usual Hollywood sense, but a man who comes to terms with demons of the past, attempts to exorcise them, and develops inner courage in the process.
Rated PG-13 for strong thematic material, violence, and strong language, "The Kite Runner" is a gripping film that you won't easily forget. Its subject matter is substantial and its background of war-torn 1970's Afghanistan and its unfolding story over many years give it a sweeping, epic feel. It is impeccably directed, and its cast completely effective in portraying complex, multifaceted characters.

Good Movie -- Interesting Look at Afghanistan
I read the book before seeing the movie, so of course I assumed the book would be better as it usually is. I was correct in this case, but the movie was much better than I expected and followed along closely to the book.

The story is about two boys who grow up in Afghanistan. One was able to escape to America with his father when the Russians invaded in 1978. He then returned to Afghanistan many years later to take care of some unfinished business for his friend who was left behind.

I already knew I would like the story, and I found the acting superb. I have no complaints other than the fact that the ending was a little far-fetched, which I also pointed out in my book review.

I still would recommend the movie. It's the best I've seen in months.