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Film Review
'Kite Runner' falls short of potential
In a post-9/11 world, most Americans are familiar with Afghanistan and the Taliban, but the history of their relationship to each other is a lesser-known story.
“The Kite Runner” (DreamWorks SKG) tells that story through the friendship of two young Afghani men from different backgrounds. The friendship that brought them together eventually tears them apart.
A beautifully jarring story, the lessons of the film are poignant and moving. Unfortunately the strength of the story is not fully conveyed by this mediocre film.
Hassan is a member of the Afghani ethnic group Haraza, who are treated as second-class citizens in Afghanistan during the early 1970s. He works for the wealthy family of his best friend Amir.
Zekeria Ebrahimi and Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada, who play the young Amir and Hassan, respectively, provide two of the best child performances in recent history. The dynamics of their relationship — which center on a paper kite tournament where the kites cut one another down in the sky — is heartwarming and eventually heart wrenching.
Amir is not able to forgive himself for not standing up for Hassan after witnessing a horrific act committed against him.
Eventually the Russians invade Afghanistan and Amir’s noble father, who is an outspoken opponent of communism, flees the country with Amir. It is not until a family friend calls Amir back to Afghanistan in his adult years that he learns the fate of Hassan. Amir then sets out to save Hassan’s son from the fierce grip of the Taliban.
Disturbingly corrupt, the portrayals of the Taliban in Afghanistan are harrowing to say the least. Amir, who has lived in shame for not defending his best friend, finally learns to take a stand for morality — a lesson his father tried to impart throughout his life.
It is in this moment, at the film’s climax, that the story unfortunately falls apart. The adult Amir, played by Khaid Abdalla, encounters the Taliban in utterly unbelievable circumstances. The strength of the message is still present, but diluted by poor writing.
Film and fortitude
“The Kite Runner” is an illustration of the development of the cardinal virtue of fortitude. Where once he fled, Amir eventually stands firm to face evil.
Fortitude is “the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life,” according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Enabling people to conquer fear and “sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause,” fortitude is the virtue Amir lacked in his youth and obtains for the sake of Hassan’s son.
Amir’s father Baba, played well by Homayoun Ershadi, strove throughout his life to teach his son the importance of fortitude — eventually offering his own life in the place another’s.
On the other hand, Amir’s shame begins when he cowers from standing up for his friend. He eventually finds the strength to do what is right above all else, even if it means risking his own life.
“The Kite Runner” is a beautiful film, but the message wanes in the light of the calculated climax. However, the terrific child acting and fascinating world of pre-Cold War Afghanistan make up for the weaknesses the second half brings.
Rebecca Bostic is a regular contributor to The Catholic Sun. Comments are welcome. Send e-mail to letters@catholicsun.org.
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