The Kite Runner

Name: The Kite Runner
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: December 14, 2007
Duration: 128 min
Rating: 61
Cast: Ahmad Khan Mahmoodzada, Khalid Abdalla

2007

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 92 Ratings

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 92 Ratings

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The Kite Runner

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Vantage | Release Date: December 14, 2007 | PG-13

Starring: Ahmad Khan Mahmoodzada, Khalid Abdalla

Summary: Based on one of the most acclaimed novels in recent memory, The Kite Runner is a profoundly emotional tale of friendship, family, devastating mistakes, and redeeming love. In a divided country on the verge of war, two childhood friends, Amir and Hassan, are about to be torn apart forever. It's a glorious afternoon in Kabul and the skies areBased on one of the most acclaimed novels in recent memory, The Kite Runner is a profoundly emotional tale of friendship, family, devastating mistakes, and redeeming love. In a divided country on the verge of war, two childhood friends, Amir and Hassan, are about to be torn apart forever. It's a glorious afternoon in Kabul and the skies are bursting with the exhilarating joy of a kite-fighting tournament. But in the aftermath of the day's victory, one boy's fearful act of betrayal will mark their lives forever and set in motion an epic quest for redemption. Now, after 20 years of living in America, Amir returns to a perilous Afghanistan under the Taliban's iron-fisted rule to face the secrets that still haunt him and take one last daring chance to set things right. (Paramount Vantage)… Expand

Director: Marc Forster

Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 128 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

Like "House of Sand and Fog" and "Man Push Cart," it helps us to understand that the newcomers among us come from somewhere and are somebody. Read full review

Empire Dan Jolin

An engaging melodrama whose less convincing plot points are superseded by some astonishingly affecting performances from the mostly unknown cast. Read full review

Alissa Simon

While the largely unknown cast and subtitled dialogue may present a marketing challenge, they also create a feeling of authenticity in this poignant, intimate epic, which should attract a strong following among discerning audiences. Read full review

David Ansen

Forster's solid, unpretentious movie hits its marks squarely, and isn't afraid to wear its heart on its sleeve. Only a mighty tough viewer could fail to be moved. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

The Kite Runner is a house divided against itself. The Marc Forster-directed version of the Khaled Hosseini novel does one part of the story so well that its success underlines what's lacking in what remains. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

The only reliable source of energy is Homayoun Ershadi, a powerful actor who plays Baba, Amir's Westernized father. Read full review

Manohla Dargis

Mr. Forster, who previously directed “Monster’s Ball” and “Finding Neverland,” has been soundly defeated by The Kite Runner. Despite the film’s far-flung locations (it was shot primarily in China), there is remarkably little of visual interest here; the setups are banal, and the scenes lack tension, which no amount of editing can provide. Read full review

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User Reviews

FilipeNeto

Apr 17, 2021

I really liked this film, which was my first foray into Afghan cinema, very rare here on the European cinema circuit. The film has its value not only because of the touching story it brings us, involving the friendship between two children, their common passion for kites (which I also see asI really liked this film, which was my first foray into Afghan cinema, very rare here on the European cinema circuit. The film has its value not only because of the touching story it brings us, involving the friendship between two children, their common passion for kites (which I also see as an obvious symbol of freedom) and the way their friendship is affected by the most recent events in Afghan history, namely the invasion of the Soviet Union and, decades later, the rise of the Taliban regime.

The film is very good and up-to-date, giving us a different view of the facts than what we are used to, and which probably identifies with that of the Afghan people themselves. The films we are used to addressing these issues from the perspective of the USA and the West. But the best thing is to see the film ... I'm afraid that if I go too far in considerations about the plot, it could ruin the effect that the film has. The script is very good and engaging until the end, and the direction of Marc Forster knows how to extract the best and show what is good about the film.

The cast consists mostly of amateur actors of Afghan nationality, and that gives the film a very welcome authenticity, to which should be added the fact that everyone speaks in their national languages. The cast's work is impeccable and careful, and everyone is very good at what they do. Personally, I would like to see them work again.

Technically, it is a discreet film that makes good use of the resources it has and adapts well to the circumstances. A good part was filmed in China, probably because Afghanistan still does not have security conditions to guarantee the integrity of the production. Cinematography makes the most of the landscapes and places used, and is guided by elegance and sobriety. The light and color are extremely pleasant. The special and sound effects accompany the general technical quality and the soundtrack, discreet, fulfills its role with dignity.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

BrianF.

Jan 1, 2008

The best movie we've seen in months. Do not miss this magnificent film.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Daz

Jan 25, 2008

The book is the best I've read in a long while. The film was expected to be a flop - surely they can't make a great film of a terrific book?? Well they did. I spent the 2nd half of this film on the verge of tears almost constantly. The emotion of the book really came back to me. A The book is the best I've read in a long while. The film was expected to be a flop - surely they can't make a great film of a terrific book?? Well they did. I spent the 2nd half of this film on the verge of tears almost constantly. The emotion of the book really came back to me. A wonderful film - should be enjoyed by everybody. Much better than some of the other blockbusters Hollywood has released recently.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

GregF.

Jan 13, 2008

Excellent. As good as if not better than the book. I don't usually cry at the movies but this was an exception.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

LinttaFlamingo

Feb 2, 2017

It's not exactly a cheerful movie, but because of the good performances and the emotional story, it's definitely worth watching. I really felt for Hassan and Amir, and the movie always stayed interesting.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

CineAutoctono

Dec 19, 2019

"The Kite Runner" was an interesting and slightly touching movie about the friendship, loyalty and reconciliation when it had good performances and story, and when my favorite part was the showing the country of Afghanistan then and now.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JamesJ.

Dec 10, 2007

Saw a DGA friend's screener. Had not read the book. It's well shot, well produced, and competently acted. That's about all I can say for it. This movie is going to get better reviews than it deserves. It's half introduction to Afghani culture (interesting to a point - Saw a DGA friend's screener. Had not read the book. It's well shot, well produced, and competently acted. That's about all I can say for it. This movie is going to get better reviews than it deserves. It's half introduction to Afghani culture (interesting to a point - but a National Geographic or 60 Minutes piece would do the job better), half over-the-top melodrama. The narrative is slow moving, contrived, and revolves around a cowardly main character who I never grew to identify with or feel for. As a primer on life in Kabul, it's interesting, but a bit ham-fisted. Citizens of foreign cities don't walk around pointing out interesting cultural traits to each other. The whole sha-bang seemed to be aimed straight at the Oprah crowd. If you're sheltered, easily manipulated, have never traveled, and can't get enough of narratively-convenient uber-tragedy... this one's a winner!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

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