On DVD: The Kite Runner

 

 

Directed by Marc Foster

Starring: Zekeria Ebrahimi, Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada, Nabi Tanha, Homayoun Ershadi

 

“There is a way to be good again”.

 

I heard lots of good things about the Khaled Hosseini novel upon which this film is based upon. So when the DVD showed up at my house, I was anxious to give it a try. The Kite Runner will be released on DVD on March 25th by Dreamworks Home video

The Movie

Amir (Zekeria Ebrahimi) is the son of the wealthy Baba (Homayoun Ershadi). The family lives in Afghanistan. Amir is close friends with Hassan (Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada), who is the son of the family servant Ali (Nabi Tanha). Amir and Hassan rarely spend very many moments separated. Amir’s wealthy father gives them money to see American films at the theater that they absolutely love. The two play and talk and joyfully spend their days together. Even when bullies present themselves in their path, Hassan protects the duo with a homemade slingshot. Amir is always more reticent and cowardly and stands behind the smaller Hassan.

The two also share another passion: kite flying. Although the sport is shown in Afghanistan as being several young boys flying kits very close together and using their strings to cut the other kites out of the sky. Amir flys the kite and Hassan is his assistant and is the fastest and most accurate at locating the kites that Amir cuts out of the sky so that they can keep them as trophies.

 

One day, while Hassan is coming back from retrieving a downed kite, a group of cruel bullies stop him. The leader of the small gang does something unspeakable to Hassan, while Amir secretly watches, hidden nearby and too frozen by cowardice to help his friend.

From this moment on, Amir and Hassan’s friendship is changed. The guilt of watching his friend and doing nothing is emotionally devastating for Amir, so he does everything he can to get his father to discharge Ali and Hassan. Then, the entire country is torn apart when Russia invades Afghanistan. Amir and Hassan are never able to find closure.

Flash forward several years. Amir is a grown man and living in the United States. He receives a call one day from Afghanistan from his father’s closest friend. He simply tells Amir “there is a way to be good again, come back to Afghanistan”.

The task that Amir must complete is emotionally wrenching and quite dangerous. I will not reveal the details of it here, rather I will let you discover the twists and turns this film has to offer on your own.

The Kite Runner is an exquisite film, capturing the beauty and innocence of Afghanistan in the late seventies, so much different than the country is now. It also captures the agony of guilt and regret and the attempts to relieve oneself of the weight of such emotions.

The photography is first rate as are the performances, especially those of Zekeria Ebrahimi and Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada, who portray Amir and Hassan.

The soundtrack is also of particular note, capturing the culture of Afghanistan but also the heartbreak of the characters involved.

The Kite Runner is an unforgettable film. If you are looking for something light, this is not your film. But if you are looking for an intriguing film that will transport you to another place and time, this is what you are looking for.

8/10

The Video

The Kite Runner is presented in anamorphic widescreen. The transfer is first rate with nice color depth and detail. The colors are vibrant and I did not notice any instances of grain or artifacts.

8/10

The Audio

The Kite Runner is presented in English 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround with Subtitles. The film is also available in French and Spanish with subtitles. The mix is clean and all dialogue is crystal clear and easily understood.

7/10

The Packaging and Bonus Features

The Kite Runner is presented in a standard amaray case that features a subtle picture of Hassan and Amir that captures their friendship nicely.

First up, there is a commentary with Marc Foster, Khaled Hosseini and David Benioff. It is informative and entertaining and definitely worth a listen.

There are two featurettes available: Words from the Kite Runner and Images from the Kite Runner. There is also a public service announcement from the author of The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini

Rounding things out is the theatrical trailer and previews.

All things considered, a nice assortment of bonus features to accompany this film.

7/10

  

Overall (Not an Average) 7.5/10

The Review

The Movie 8/10

The Video 8/10

The Audio 7/10

The Packaging and Bonus Features 7/10

Overall (Not an Average) 7.5/10

 

Suzie Lackey