Synopsis
After spending years in California, Amir returns to his homeland in Afghanistan to help his old friend Hassan, whose son is in trouble.
Your Movie Library
Cast
- Ahmad Khan MahmoodzadaYoung Hassan
- Atossa LeoniSoraya
- Khalid AbdallaAmir
- Elham EhsasYoung Assef
- Homayoun ErshadiBaba
- Saïd TaghmaouiFarid
- Mustafa HaidariParty Worker
- Shaun ToubRahim Kahn
- Zekeria EbrahimiYoung Amir
- Ali Danish Bakhty AriSohrab
Recommendations
- 88
ReelViews
At times brutal, at times touching, the movie stands out as one of the better "prestige" productions offered for cinematic consumption during the waning weeks of 2007. - 80
Variety
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. - 80
New York Magazine (Vulture)
The Afghan boys’ kite-flying contests are the emotional core of the film, and Forster and his crew bring the camera into the sky and make it dip and soar along with the kites. It’s a thrilling spectacle, although it’s also tinged with a peculiarly emasculating aggression. - 75
Rolling Stone
Both boys give such heart-rending performances that fear of reprisals for participating in the scene persuaded the studio to postpone the film's release to give them time to leave Kabul. - 75
Entertainment Weekly
In making a movie about the hot mess of Afghan history, a sense of reserve turns out to be a useful tool for peace. - 70
Newsweek
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. - 50
Chicago Tribune
While not autobiographical, The Kite Runner feels authentic in its ethnic tensions, even when the narrative itself, with its handily reappearing and easily avenged villain, undermines that authenticity. - 50
The New Yorker
The movie’s heart is certainly in the right place--it’s a quietly outraged work--but I wish there were more excitement in it from moment to moment.
