Review: ‘Kite Runner’ story is powerful, gripping

Directed by: Marc Forster

Starring: Khalid Abdalla, Homayon Ershadi, Zekeria Ebrahimi, Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada, Shaun Toub, Nabi Tahna, Ali Dinesh, Atossa Leoni

Rated: PG-13

When I first saw Stanley Kubrick’s film version of “The Shining,” I was in the small minority of people who hadn’t read Stephen King’s bestselling novel. I thought the movie was great but then began hearing complaints from fans of the book. I read the book – I thought it was great as well, but I still loved Kubrick’s film.

For movie lovers, it may be better to see a film version of a great novel before reading the book. For what it’s worth, that has been my experience.

As a matter of disclosure, I must say that I have not read Khaled Hosseini’s novel, “The Kite Runner,” which is a worldwide bestseller. Its current numbers are more than 8 million copies sold in three dozen countries.

After seeing Marc Forster’s powerful – and at times utterly gut-wrenching – film, I plan on reading the book.

Films can rarely encompass all of the emotional nuances, subplots and depth of character that the printed page holds; they would have to be far too long. The film director’s task is to extract what he or she sees as the essence of the story and present that onscreen.

There will be complaints about Forster’s “The Kite Runner,” I’m sure, from those who have read the novel. And it remains to be seen if the film can attract blockbuster crowds because, after all, it is subtitled, and audiences are getting very picky about things these days.

For those who haven’t read the book, here’s the basic plot.

The year is 2000. Amir is a young novelist living in San Francisco after fleeing his native Afghanistan. He gets a call from an old friend who tells him, “There is a way to be good again, Amir,” and urges him to return to Afghanistan on a mission.

The film then flashes back to Kabul in 1978. It’s pre-Russian invasion and pre-Taliban. Amir lives with his father, Baba, a wealthy landowner. Amir’s best friend is Hassan, the son of Baba’s servant. Despite their economic and cultural differences – Hassan is of Hazara descent, a minority looked down upon in Afghanistan at the time – the boys are best of friends.

A childhood pastime in Kabul is kite flying – and kite “fighting.” When rivals compete, they try to cut the lines of their opponents’ kites, sending them away in the wind. A “kite runner” is one who can track and retrieve these wayward kites. They are prized trophies for the winners. Hassan is Amir’s runner and the best in Kabul.

As strong as the boys’ friendship is, it’s soon revealed that Amir is somewhat jealous of Hassan. Baba seems to think the servant boy is the stronger and braver of the two. This ignites many emotions in Amir.

There is a brutal scene in which Amir doesn’t act to help Hassan and, rather than asking for forgiveness, Amir’s shame is so great he turns on his friend.

The servants soon leave the employ of Baba, and Amir is never to see Hassan again.

When the film moves back to 2000, secrets have been revealed, and Amir realizes the only way to save himself spiritually is to go back to Afghanistan, now controlled by the Taliban, and do what he must do.

The last act shows the Taliban-controlled country as a place of utter brutality and intolerance.

There are scenes, while not graphically violent, that are as emotionally disturbing as any in recent memory.

Roberto Schaefer’s cinematography is sumptuous. Kabul (the film was actually shot in the Chinese city of Kashgar) goes through many changes of mood from the pre-war days to the present, and Schaefer knows how to use his craft to evoke emotion. The kite-flying scenes border on the surreal.

But the real power of “The Kite Runner,” which I saw at a pre-screening showing, lies in its story. Early in the film, I remarked to my wife, who had already read the book, that I had no idea where this all was leading.

Be assured, as it unfolds, the tale becomes ever more gripping and powerful. Only the hardest-hearted will manage to hold back a tear or two. It’s not what one would call a “feel good” movie, but it is a great one.

Jim Wunderle owns Wunderle Sound Services and is a Springfield freelance writer and musician. He can be reached at info@wunderlesound.com.