Review of The Kite Runner (2007) by Diana B — 22 Jan 2010

I know that most movie adaptations of great books are going to be inevitable letdowns, but "The Kite Runner" was a letdown for some very interesting reasons. It was a strict adaptation of the book, in terms of plot and character and even dialogue, but somehow it didn't stay true to the pacing of the novel. Scenes that seemed long, thrilling, and involving in the novel, are somehow reduced to quick moments...the thrill sucked dry by a lack of emphasis on the right actions, or a failure to properly set up the importance of the action.

"The Kite Runner" film also misses the grandeur of the book. When I read the black and white text on the novel's page, I could somehow see Afghanistan (and the Afghan communities in America) with more clarity and detail than the rough sketch I saw on the screen.

This wasn't a bad movie, necessarily. It just wasn't any good.