Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner is such a beautiful story. I read the book a year and a half ago, which sets me up perfectly to enjoy an on-screen adaptation of the book (My recipe for success in this area? Read book. Love book so much that I want more. Let time pass — at least a year — so that the details of the book have softened in my mind. Watch movie.). For more details about the story if you are unfamiliar with it, please read my review of the book.
I didn’t rush to watch the movie for the same reason I hesitated to read the book — it’s a tough story dealing with the pain of regret. But once I started reading the book, I was drawn in by the beautiful language and heart-felt story.
In a similar way, the film is so visually appealing that it drew me in right away. Watching the movie — already knowing the story from the novel — gave it an even greater effect. The weight of Amir’s bad choices just hang in the air, since I know what’s going to happen. However, seeing it play out on screen, I had a slightly different reaction. Hassan’s loyalty seems more real and less of an archetype. Amir’s youth and insecurity is more readily understood. As time passes, watching Amir’s persistence and sacrifice to right his past wrongs gave me the same emotional reaction that the story of redemption in the book evoked.
If you’ve avoided this story because of its difficult content, I recommend this movie to you. You’ll get a taste of the story, but in a two-hour chunk with an uplifting ending, as opposed to having to invest in reading 400 pages — 400 beautifully written pages — but nonetheless. . . . On that note, I have to say that you will be reading a fair bit if you watch the movie. Most of it is subtitled, and this surprised me, even though I knew that the majority of it took place in Afghanistan.
It is not a story without hope. As the movie highlights “There is a way to be good again.” The movie’s ending is a bit happier than the book’s, not because anything material is changed, but because some of the details are left out. Some of you will like that.
Watching the movie has made me want to read the book again, and I’m sure that I will at some point, but for now, I think it’s encouraged me to finally read A Thousand Splendid Suns (I stated this same intent in my book review over a year and a half ago, but I kept delaying, and as always happens, other books got in the way, but will you believe me now if I say I really, really plan to read it?). Khalid Hosseini is a beautiful storyteller.
In honor of the release of this movie (rated PG-13) in Blu-Ray format, I have one Kite Runner Blu-Ray DVD to give away (U.S. or Canadian shipping addresses).
It truly is a beautiful movie — the type that plays out wonderfully in high-definition format. There are also some great special features, including interviews with the director and the author of the book, which I enjoyed. Khaled Hosseini is even featured in the commentary on the movie (that I haven’t watched yet), which shows his active role in adapting his book to the screen.
He’s pleased with the movie. Yes, there is a lot cut out, but there are no significant changes, so even book purists will probably be pleased with this movie.
Just leave a comment if you’d like to win, and I’ll announce the winner on April 1.
In addition to books, managing editor Jennifer Donovan, loves a good story as told via a movie or TV series, which she most often enjoys on DVD. She blogs at Snapshot about life with her tween daughter and preschool son.
Thanx for the contest
Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for entering me! Great Contest!
Janna Johnson
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http://www.FeedYourPigBlog.com
Wonderful movie! Thanks for the chance.
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The book scared me. I was worried about the main character. Especially when he returned to his hometown. Good movie too.
I’ve never seen this movie or read the book. I’d like to though. Thanks for the contest.
I loved this book and look forward to seeing this movie. Thanks.
this is sad story.
I love the book and am still wanting to see the movie
yzgirl4[at]verizon[dot]net
this is great!
I would like to see this movie.
I would love to win this!
I would love to win this. Thanks for the chance
Loved the movie at the theater, just think it would require blu-ray to do it justice at home. Thanks so much. r
really wnated to see this one
I’d like to see this on blu-ray
I’d love to see it!
Looks like a great one!
Haven’t seen this yet, but would like to.
wow
Would love to see this–
My sister would love this. Please accept my entry. Thank you
I heard this was a facinating movie. I’d love to own it.
I’d be thrilled to own this and add it to my DVD collection.
I would love to add this movie to my collection!
I’d love this 🙂
I have heard so much about this book – most of my friends have read it – and I’ve thought about reading it so many times. But I’ve always ended up picking up something else instead. This would probably give me that extra incentive to just read it!!
enter me!
I’ve read so many great reviews of this film, I would love to see it. Thank you for the chance to win.
This book was really good, would love to see the movie.
I would also love to win this. I rented the movie awhile back and thought it was amazing. Now that I have a blu-ray player it would be awesome to see it again and actually own it!
I would like to win!
Please, enter me, great prize!!! I would love to win this.
I’ve read the book but have not seen the movie. Thanks for this great giveaway! Would like to win and compare.
Thanks for the contest, please enter me.
I would love to see this movie with my kids. It looks like a great movie.
please enter me
This movie was emotionally genuine and extremely well edited and portrayed. What an excellent story of loyalty and friendship.
looks like a good one, i wanna win!
I would like to win
Thank you for the opportunity to win this
enter me
Amazon keeps this book on top of the recommendations for me, but I’d like the movie.
Sounds like a great read, please count me in.
Happy Weekend!
Excellent book – would like to see the movie.
I read the book and loved it! I have never seen the movie, but would love to!
My son is a fanatic, he would love the blu ray. Please enter me
love to see this movie!
Would really love to win this.