"The Kite Runner" , a film based on the book by Khaked Hosseini, is about as beautiful as a film about a rape can be. Early on, Amir, the main character, is promised, "there is a way to be good again." I'm not sure that he ever does, but his attempt to make right is fascinating to watch.
A Kite Runner is exactly what the name implies: someone who runs down fallen kites. The film is the story of Amir, a well-to-do Afghani boy, and his close friend Hassan who live in 1970's Kabul. The popular sport in Kabul is kite flying, and large groups of boys gather together and fly kites. The game is in trying to cut the strings on everyone else's kite. A fallen kite is a great prize, and is the property of whoever catches it. Amir is a talented flyer, but Hassan has the greater gift: he can find a fallen kite without looking at the sky.
The two boys are a study in opposites. Amir is wealthy; his wardrobe seems to consist entirely of Lacoste shirts and blue blazers. Hassan is the son of Amir's father's servant. Hassan is illiterate, but there is a wisdom to him. He has a very old face, and always seems to have the edge on Amir, despite his obvious disadvantages. The two run around Kabul playing "Bullitt" in Amir's father, Baba's, Mustang and otherwise worshipping Steve McQueen.
Early on, the main conflict is in Baba's relationship with his son. Baba is a strong man, willing to fight for what he believes in. Amir does not fight. When he is bullied, Hassan steps in to defend him, often taking Amir's beatings.
Amir finally gets the chance to win his father's respect in a local kite flying tournament. At dinner, Baba brags of having once cut down 14 kites in one day. The next day, Amir cuts down the best flyer in Kabul, winning the day. But his victory is marred by a tragedy, and his trophy, a kite, becomes a symbol of Amir's failure.
From here, the film moves into much darker territory. Amir and Baba must flee Afghanistan after the Soviet invasion. They move to Fremont, CA, where Baba runs a gas station. Hassan and his father disappear into Kabul.
"The Kite Runner" is filled with shots of-you guessed it-kites. It opens in the air, watching kites fly over the East Bay. The first view of Kabul is behind a kite. It moves through the air with a noise like playing cards in bicycle spokes, and gives a gorgeous view of a Kabul unmarred by the last thirty years.
At my screening of this film, the ending was met with applause from most of the theater. This seems a likely response when "The Kite Runner" releases to theatres nationwide on November 2nd. It is a beautiful movie, and more important, it manages to cover some difficult ground without pulling too many punches.
