The Kite Runner is a moving, sincere piece of art. Despite that, most audiences might not have even noticed that it went through the theaters like a desert breeze. It’s made a modest showing internationally, and pulled in $15.4 million in its limited US release. Critics, however, remained mixed, although most of the negative reviews placed the film up against the poetic genius of its source material – the best selling novel by Khaled Hosseini.
With all the hype surrounding the book and the excitement of it coming to the screen via director Marc Forster (Finding Neverland, Stranger Than Fiction), the DVD release may come as a surprise for those who looked for it on their local marquee and never found it. It also comes as good news.
After spending most of his life in California, Amir (Khalid Abdalla) is forced to reconcile with his past in Afghanistan in order to prove loyalty to his childhood friend Hassan (Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada). The film chronicles their early years dealing with the brutality of bullies, the infiltration of the Soviets that force the two friends apart, and life in the United States where Amir finds love and normalcy.
Characterized by sweeping shots and brilliant performances by young actors Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada and Zekeria Ebrahimi, the movie plays well, of course, on the small screen. The intense shots of kites swooping and diving through the heights of the Afghani countryside lose none of their luster, and the rest of the film is made for an intimate setting.
The DVD has the standard video and sound settings. Unfortunately, beyond the film, it’s lacking in special features. It has commentary from the director, the author of the novel, and the screenwriter, as well as a beautifully done segment featuring words from the novel and art renderings from the film.
Despite a lack in featurettes, the real joy of owning this DVD is for the film itself. It’s an incredible drama that captures a fragile culture in the throes of upheaval as it mirrors the friendship of two young boys.
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