Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada, Atossa Leoni, Brian Vowell

Spanning from the final days of Afghanistan's monarchy to the atrocities of the Taliban reign, an epic tale of fathers and sons, of friendship and betrayal, an unlikely friendship develops between Ami...( read more  read more... )r, the son of a wealthy Afghan businessman, and Hassan, a servant to Amir and his father. During a kite-flying tournament, an unspeakable event changes the nature of their relationship forever. As an adult haunted by the childhood betrayal, Amir seeks redemption by returning to his war-torn native land to make peace with himself and reconcile his cowardice.

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86% liked it

221,296 ratings

Critics

66% liked it

167 critics

PG-13, 2 hrs. 7 min.

Directed by: Marc Forster

Release Date: January 11, 2008

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DVD Release Date: March 25, 2008

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Flixster Reviews (12,734)


  • October 7, 2009
    ''The Mullahs want to rule our souls... and the Communists tell us we don't have any.''

    After spending years in California, Amir returns to his homeland in Afghanistan to help his old friend Hassan, whose son is in trouble.

    Khalid Abdalla: Amir

    The Kite Runne...( read more)r is a very sad movie. This emphasized by the fact the main characters begin and transition as children. There are moving emotional stories and the unsuccessfully delivered ones - I don't believe that just because I'm moved to tears, a movie deserves the highest praise. The Kite Runner glides between the good and bad to deliver heart-wrenching moments and some very transparent messages.

    Basically The Kite Runner's story is this, Amir is the son of a wealthy businessman, and Hassan is the Hazara son of one of the servants in Amir's household. Amir and Hassan are great friends as children, and race kites in tournaments. Because the Hazara are an ethnic minority, Hassan is constantly harassed, and Amir along with him. The political situation with the Soviet Union becomes increasingly difficult, that Amir and his father must flee the country, leaving Hassan behind. Some time later, Amir is a successful novelist living in California. He gets a call to come back to Afghanistan and help Hassan's child.

    Story-wise The Kite Runner is originally delivered and with somepoignant messages of importance. Events that run smoothly are too convenient and achieved almost effortlessly. Anything that can go wrong does go wrong, which eventually winds up being disappointing, rather than resulting in depressing circumstances. Three conflicts arise in Amir's life, and his inaction drive the outcome of the first two - as an adult, Amir must learn courage and finally confront the third. Relationships spring up and entwine, such that no minor character is ever left behind, and no relationship is as simple as it initially appears.

    I do appreciate the portrayal of an everyday, normal protagonist, and the intricacies of boyhood friendships and trials. The characters are well captured in their dimensions, if lacking backbone in areas script wise. The first half of the movie - where the friendship is explored and Kabul is alive - is charismatic and nostalgic. There are cultural details abound, both overt and hidden, for any who wish to be immersed in this mysterious land of intrigue.

    ''Fuck the Russia!''

    The second half of the movie descends into cliches. You can see everything that's about to happen a good half-hour in advance. Amir's final conflict occurs in Afghanistan, and is very physical and action-oriented, in contrast to the rest of the story. This is all highlighted by a childish movie score that punctuates every dramatic moment with strangely dated instrumentation.

    It's true that you cannot tell the story of a person without exploring their culture and their background. But it's a very tricky thing - western audiences leave the theatre thinking they know all about the culture, and while none of the stereotypes in The Kite Runner seem harmful, they are stereotypes. I'm particularly opposed to the way in which the Taliban were suddenly introduced into events, not because I'm some weird pro-Taliban radical, but because I didn't see the necessity to tie it in so closely with the story of friendship. The Taliban receives the same treatment that the Nazis do in old WWII movies, they're an ever-present, one-dimensional evil villain. I am by no means suggesting that either the Taliban or Nazis deserve anything but vilification, but this basic treatment is out of place, overly-affecting, and not very entertaining.

    It's possible that the tightly formulated conclusions in the story are a result of having to pare down the book. I do enjoy the unconventional ways in which the characters behave: more in keeping with reality than nobility and idealized images of love. The Kite Runner has some moments that are truly heartbreaking, but continues to tug on those strings too frequently and with diminishing success.

    ''There is only one sin, only one. And that is theft. Every other sin is a variation of theft... When you kill a man, you steal a life. You steal his wife's right to a husband, rob his children of a father. When you tell a lie, you steal someone's right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness.''
  • August 20, 2009
    Really sad. Even though the brother ended up doing a good thing in the end, he was still a jerk.
  • March 27, 2009
    Pros: based on a book
    Cons: really bad screenplay
  • March 9, 2009
    From book to film this intriguing story is quite an insight into the war-torn years in Afghanistan. Directed by Marc Forster, the film appears authentic and natural.

    The Kite Runner takes a little while to show which direction it is heading in, but during that period the foun...( read more)dations of the tale are set and character development is established.

    The film evolves into a class dividing, guilt ridden, culture changing journey, which questions loyalty and friendship to the deepest of levels.

    My one complain if any, is that the older Amir, was less of a good Actor than the boy who took the part of the younger Amir.
  • February 22, 2009
    The movie was good. I had to watch it for my English class. I also read the book. The book was way better than the movie. The movie covered maybe 50% of the book. Still not bad. Had the whole message in it. Just not too in depth.
  • November 17, 2009
    Superb adaptation of a beautiful and inspiring novel. Of course, much is left out that was in the novel -- a five hour long movie might nave contained it all but not one of two hour length. The acting is terrific, especially that of the three child leads, the adult Amir and his f...( read more)ather.
  • November 13, 2009
    This is an extremely sad movie, but does open one's eyes as to how people live outside of our rose colored glasses.
  • November 12, 2009
    Very well made story from the book with the same name.
  • November 3, 2009
    An heartbreaking story. Good performances of young actors. A very powerful anti-war movie of friendship. Thumbs up!
  • November 1, 2009
    Very good movie. Even though it had sub-titles (I despise sub-titles!) I managed to watch the whole movie, and appreciate it. A very interesting drama with rich characters and a great story.

Critic Reviews


December 28, 2007
Nigel Andrews, The Financial Times

The measured mise-en-scène is fine for the boyhood scenes. Character-building alternates with brief bursts of image music, such as the kite-flying contest that fills the Kabul sky with darting, colour... full review

December 14, 2007
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

In a movie about a storyteller (Amir as an adult in America is played by Khalid Abdalla) the storytelling pace moves between deliberate and sluggish. full review

December 14, 2007
Claudia Puig, USA Today

The Kite Runner is a compelling and uplifting tale that exposes the viewer to an unfamiliar, fascinating culture and a family dynamic that is recognizable and nuanced. full review

December 14, 2007
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

There's a lethargy and a reverence about this film that seem misplaced, as though Forster and screenwriter David Benioff thought they were adapting a sacred text and forgot they were making drama. full review

December 14, 2007
Pete Hammond, Maxim

A humane and enriching motion picture experience that soars and takes flight as a first class piece of filmmaking. full review

December 10, 2007
David Edelstein, New York Magazine

The Afghan boys' kite-flying contests are the emotional core of the film, and Forster and his crew bring the camera into the sky and make it dip and soar along with the kites. full review

November 28, 2007
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

I won't deny that the film is sometimes rushed, oversimplified and skimpy on the details of Afghan culture that informed the book. But the tale still takes hold. full review

October 31, 2007
Armond White, The New York Press

Forster's mix of topicality and sensationalism makes The Kite Runner sentimental, not profound. full review

October 4, 2007
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

How long has it been since you saw a movie that succeeds as pure story? That doesn't depend on stars, effects or genres, but simply fascinates you with how it will turn out? full review

View more The Kite Runner reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • WrellikW
    July 25, 2008
    This was a good movie! You could only feel for the second friend; poor kid. His heart was as big as the sky itself. I loved this movie!

    Take care all,
    William
    Zzzzzzooooooommmmmmm!

    "It is easy to be brave, from a distance." -American Indian Proverb-
  • fazelix
    April 14, 2008
    so nice drama and homayoon ershadi is one of the best actor in iran
  • GymNetic25
    March 30, 2008
    "A Very Sad Interpretation of a excellent book" This film did not do justice to the book at all. Having read the book first I could have done without watching this movie. I was very disappointed of the short amount of time spent on the deeply emotional issues addressed in the book. I also felt that this movie lacked suspense at all. Usually when reading the book it deviates from the movie and is not your vision but at least it stays true to the basic themes. Unfortunately this film did not have that quality and was more of a "Water Down Version". For everyone to give this story justice please read the book and leave it at that.
    2 stars
  • aussie1243
    January 23, 2008
    SHOOT ive been seeing this movie on dozens of posters and stuff and I didnt even realise it was about the brilliant book I read!!
    MUST SEE THIS NOW :O
  • ACeTheGuitarist
    January 9, 2008
    Such a great movie XD
    an i relli wanna read the book =)

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The Kite Runner Trivia


  • Which of the following 2007 movies is NOT based on a true story?  Answer »
  • Spanning from the final days of Afghanistan's monarchy to the atrocities of the Taliban reign, an epic tale of fathers and sons, of friendship and betrayal, an unlikely friendship develops between Amir, the son of a wealthy Afghan businessman, and Hassan, a servant to Amir and his father.   Answer »

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