Iffy for 14+
Best seller-based drama has harrowing moments.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that although this often-harrowing drama set primarily in Afghanistan focuses on children's experiences, the themes are mature. Children are repeatedly in peril, and there's a disturbing, though not explicit, scene in which a young boy is raped by older boys (close-ups of faces and a belt being unbuckled indicate what's going on). Several scenes show warfare (explosions, gunfire, bloody bodies) during the Soviet invasion; others depict Taliban oppression (a public stoning, beatings, taunting of civilians). One hanged body is visible on the street. A brief tirade features several uses of "f--k" in a row; other language includes "hell" and "damn."
- Families can talk about why part of the story is told as a flashback, from a child's point of view. How does that change the impact of the story? Also, the young actors had to leave Afghanistan after making this film because of the homosexual rape scene. What do your kids think about what it means to take risks for art?
The good stuff
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Messages: A noble child sets an example for a more fearful boy. A single father is sometimes remote from his son, with high expectations. A childhood bully, Soviet troops, and Taliban members are all cruel and visibly odious. Very little attention is paid to women's lives under both traditional Afghani custom and extreme Taliban rule.
What to watch for
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Violence: Central plot element is a homosexual rape (both victim and perpetrator are adolescent boys), briefly indicated by close-ups of a belt being unbuckled, pants pulled down, and the victim's face pressed against the ground. He looks frightened and pained, and his blood drips on the snow as he walks away. A bully threatens younger boys, a child uses a slingshot, and a boy throws pomegranates at his friend. War scenes include explosions, tanks, and soldiers with guns. A hanged man visible in the street, and kids throw rocks at each other. The Taliban stone a woman and man to death (mostly shown in long shot, but blood visible and it's very clear what's happening). Guns aimed at visitor. Fierce fistfight leaves participants bloodied and smashed. Hero appears with black eye, swollen face, and bloody face. Goat's head lies bloody in the dirt (cut off by Kabul butcher as part of routine preparation).
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Sex: Discussion of "giving" orphans to a local Taliban leader (for sexual reasons that are hinted at, but not discussed in any detail) in order to save the remaining children.
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Language: Language includes several uses of "f--k," plus occasional instances of "hell" and "goddamn." Derogatory/racist references to the "hazara" (who are from the Black Mountain of Hazara region and are mostly Shi'a muslims).
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Consumerism: References to U.S movies, like Bullitt, El Cid, The Magnificent Seven.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Frequent cigarette smoking, mostly by Amir's father. Some drinking at parties and a bar; a child serves drinks to adults at a party.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Kite...Takes Flight by gasparm
I am so happy that I went to see The Kite Runner, having never read the bestseller on which it was based, I did'nt have a clue as to what it was about. I originally thought it was a children's picture. It was one of the best films I have seen in 2007. I have't shed a tear in a movie since Terms of Endearment. This is a supurb film that should be seen by all filmlovers, as it embodies human emotions and serious subject matter in every scene. The acting, cimematography, screen adaptation and direction are all outstanding. I highly recommend this film to all theatregoers 13 and up to 93....really an excellent achievement.
5
The Kite Runner by jcloizides
I have seen all the Oscar nominated films this year....No Country For Old Men will probably win..but if my heart and soul were voting i would choose this film as the best i've seen in a very long time....maybe it is emotionally manipulative and perhaps it is a subject matter that viewers would not care to see because it involves Afghanistan and the Taliban, but nonetheless, it is an important story with an emphasis on friendship, cowardice and redemption....the acting is superb, the tale is heartbreaking and the children are unforgettable....
5
Phenomenal! by peachyolives
This movie was a very good rendition of the book, which I read right before going to see the movie. It really brought the book to life, and the fact that at least half of the movie was in Farsi made it even more realistic. My boyfriend is from Afghanistan and lived more than half of his life there, and he said it was a very realistic portrayal of conditions and events in the country, which I take as a very good review, even better than just a good movie. Definitely go to see this movie.
4
Movie vs. Novel by jnettes13
I had read the book a couple of years ago and when I heard about the movie I didn't really want to see it. The book was really good and, well, you know how the movie versions always turn out. But I was pleasantly surprised! Although the book was more descriptive and was more chronological, the parts that were in the movie was true to the book. The book did go into the Afghan culture more than the movie, which I found fascinating! I didn't expect that much subtitle in the film, but the story was easy to follow. The child actors were superb also! If you haven't read the book and watch the movie, it will impact you more than those that read the book. But if you read the book prior to watching the movie, the movie doesn't do the book justice. This film depicts relationships between friends, parent/child, husband/wife. So if you can relate with these, you will "feel" this movie regardless of your culture.
5
The Kite Runner Sustains Its Power by phoebegirl
Some movies make us reexamine our lives by illuminating the darker forces embedded in human relations. Callousness, shame and regret are among these. Only the unwise person can claim no such experiences; too often, however, we are not given the opportunity to make amends for our regrettable actions. "The Kite Runner" exposes these destructive forces and then demonstrates that our redemptive powers can undo the harm done. It is arrestingly beautiful and raw as it upends our notions of entitlement and suffering. Because its story is framed within Afghan culture and recent history it is one that needs to be viewed now. I loved "The Kite Runner" and am saddened by the cultural mechanisms that forced its young actors to flee their homes.
5
Redemption by clarelouise44
The film is study of the relationship between two boys in Afghanistan and also of the class divisions in this culture, but it also can be viewed more broadly as a study of sin and redemption. The older, Amir, belonging to a wealthy, high class family fails to defend his loyal, brave friend Hassan from humiliation and injury after Hassan has rescued him a number of times. Even worse, since Amir now feels guilty seeing Hassan around, he plots to accuse him of a crime.
The rest of the film shows the deteriation of the country and the effects on their families and lives.... A haunting, powerful film which everyone should see
5
A Thousand Tmes Over by Vocalise59
This is truly one of the most touching movies I have ever seen. The choice of characters was absolutely superb (how could you not be moved to tears by little Hasan?). Unlike many recent movie versions of famous books, the story and the drama of the book are very well rendered in this motion picture. It is missing what I consider to be one of the most crucial "scenes" towards the end of the book, involviong Hassan's son, and this leaves us with a sense of unfinished business, unticlimatic ending of the story.
I look forward to thne movie version of A Thousand Splendid Suns.
5
The Kite Runner by barkleybear
Very well acted, followed book as well as any book to movie we have seen
5
The most important story by Babzuptown
I was somehow unprepared for the power of this movie. I was caught up, like a kite, in the magnitude of the humanity. While I watched much of the film with angst on my face or tears running off my cheeks, my mind and my heart were just captivated by the truths here.
Yes, transported into a culture I know a little something about (way cool) and the history... But the truths transfer into every culture. Like My Big Fat Greek Wedding only...perhaps the most important story ever told. Simply amazing. How terribly brave of the author to tell this story. I hope they are showing this in Afghantastan.
5
Captured all the way through! by mahjongg8
The Kite Runner is a must see, especially for those who read the book. I was not expecting subtitles, but it made the movie so realistic. Given I read the book a few years ago, when it first came out, I did not remember much. As the movie continued, it started bringing the book to life for me.
The plot itself is so moving, and given the talents of the cast, it is so easy to get caught up into the story.
My husband did not read the book. He was a little restless at first, but after the first 20 minutes, he was entertained. Even though he did enjoy the movie, I believe he would have connected more if he had read the book.
I recommend this movie for teens & older.