I want to be an adapter... -(Semi) Old School Movie Review #7

That is really what this one boils down to: I want to be the one that takes an existing piece of brilliant literature (The Kite Runner)and just smashes down until it is barely recognizable as the story once told.

Ok not. I loved the book, and I guess the film was just a bit rushed for me. Not awful. I would give it one more chance just to be sure, but it wasn't shattering or anything. And I will admit, I had hoped it would be. They missed out on the part of the book that is so meaningful and relatable I thought. Sure, the essence was there. The setting was well communicated and a few of the characters I actually liked. Most of them I didn't though.

The biggest downfall of any adaptation is what you will find here: editing. When adapting, you cannot-- I will repeat-- cannot cram the entire story in. Duh. That's a no-brainer. (I thought so too) but apparently the makers of this one thought it was still a good idea so they picked the kites themselves as the theme, crammed all the footage they could into 2 hours, and left out most of the harshly redeeming and sincere moments.

Possible ways the film could have been done (obviously without ruining it for you):

Maybe narrating it would have helped. So much of the book is told from one perspective and most of which comes straight out of his head. We only learn through about the other characters because of how we understand his heart. His guilt is what drives the piece. It is also what most can't handle as they read because it does tend to leave a very negative and depressing stroke on the reader.

Maybe pick only a few of the plot lines to tell. Truth be told, the movie was going to be great, but they couldn't really spend the time on the good parts, so it just... wasn't. Don't brush over the whole thing and give me a shallow film experience. Give me one to the point deep and moving one. Maybe then I would have sobbed at the end like I did reading the book. just an idea.

In my humble, yet correct opinion: 2/5
(for forgetability, less-than-par casting, and poor editing)

(as a brief adendum... if you haven't read the book, the film perhaps could have been more like a 3/5. My criticism is more in the adaption than the film itself. Which I understand isn't the most fair.)

Scrictly a renter. But do, because it is entertaining.

The movie website
Go buy the book

between daylight and darkness...

Caved. That's my only excuse. I caved. I didn't really want to read it, and I knew it wasn't going to be all that great, but I read the whole thing anyways. Well, this one. I don't know that I have the stomach for the next two.

Disclaimer: I am going to teach English and/or literature at some point in my life. A professor that I respect says that it made a lot of his students into readers-- so I digress. I borrowed--not purchased-- this novelty item and found myself reading it much later than twilight.

Admittedly, for a young writer, I have to say I give her credit for her zeal to tell an unfamiliar story though so familiar in a lot of ways too. I hate to say it, but from the Mormon girl perspective I couldn't help but see all of the ties of vampire thirsting after human as an uncanny parallel to the chastity lines...etc. I loved the way the story moved for the most part, in that it was engaging and left me wanting to read more. On the other hand, not a lot happens in this book... in fact, it takes a few hundred pages before you forget your reading. Until then, my eyes are sore from reading the same phrases, "he was a marble Greek pagan god..." and "i could not make out his expression..." All I have to say is, if you don't know his expression- then don't be a writer... or at least don't worry about trying to describe it over and over if you have run our of your black piggy bank of midget words.

In her defense, because I do want to write something that people like to read as well, I have to say she has done just that: provided a fun topic of conversation. I have heard a handful of people say the words: "I am not really a reader. In fact I don't usually read at all... but for some reason (probably peer pressure or your mom) I have picked it up and found myself flipping..." that is a good sign. Making readers out of not-readers is a good business too. I believe in that at least. I spent a lot of time at the high school recently, and seen lots of these books... so I guess that professor was right- at least they are reading. And if they get through these books, who's to say they wont stop to pick up another one? And then another? Reading Epidemic! (But don't take MY word for it... da na na!)

Not my favorite, not the best writing by any means, but fun. I personally am not allowed to read the other two because I fear it might cause me to have some sort of spazm in the brain.

My humble yet correct opinion: 3/5

A borrower.