I have wanted to get a book, the Kite Runner earlier before it was being adapted into a movie. I kept lurking in the book stores and somehow didn’t manage to buy the book till the movie hit our shores.
I have read some books made into movies – before or after. Forrest Gump, Bridget Jones’ Diary, Bridget Jones’s Diary – the Edge of Reasons, the Firm, Just Cause, just to name a few. I find both books and movies were equally fascinating even with slight variations.
I managed to catch the Kite Runner in the cinema last week. It was a choice between the movie Kite Runner or the Forbidden Kingdom. Even though I like epic movies riddled with male testerones , giant battle fields, lots of blood and killing; the idea of having Jet Li and Jackie Chan conversing in English in the same movie is just too much to bear. So, it was an easy choice, I chose to watch the Kite Runner.
I was glad that I watched the Kite Runner. It was conceived in the charming and rustic old Afghanistan backdrop. The colours were rich and intoxicating. You could actually smell the lamb kebabs selling along the alleys and see the pretty, colorful kites flying in the sky. Never in your mind would you think Afghanistan was once a prosperous and happy country.
This movie changed my perception of Afghanistan and Islam in general. I am sure the moment we think of Afghanistan, an image of Osama bin Laden would be plastered in our minds. We chose to brush it off and label it as a lost cause country. We chose to turn a blind eye on the plight of the people of Afghanistan. Even though I abhor wars; I feel tackling the terrorists is a prevalent ongoing agenda for the world in general. I don’t know who to believe anymore. I don’t like to read about wars because it makes me sad.
Catching this movie opened my eyes on the things I chose to remain oblivious all these years. It was heart wrenching filled with human emotions which you don’t think exists. It showed the destitution in wars and confirmed sometimes, war is necessary. It showed that there true friends do exists; friends who would die for you to protect your honour.
It also showed a strong relationship between a father and son. The struggle of a father’s expectation of a son and a son eagerly trying his best to please his father, disappointed when he finds even though his father’s blood ran in him, that was all he inherited from his dad and nothing more.
The conversations moved me to tears; such beautifully crafted lines upon lines. It made us realize that, there are things we couldn’t change, but when opportunity knocks at your door, it is the only way to make good again.
I finally bought the book on Sunday and finished reading it by Tuesday night. I had to endure three nights of sleeplessness and going to work with swollen eyes. The movie is worth to watch, the book - I would read it a thousand times over.
15 Comments, Comment or Ping
Wow! That good huh! Very sentimental story one is it?
May 1st, 2008 at 5:59 pm
really enjoyed this touching movie. am very impressed too with the little boy who played ali. he’s such a good actor!
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:29 pm
i m so glad that at the end he manage to get the little boy back to America. its like the little thing that he managed to do for his bro
may the cruelty shown in the movie(an in real life) such as stoning to death will be wipe off from the world soon.
peace
datin
May 3rd, 2008 at 1:05 am
eh, sorry, not ali but the young hassan. got mixed up a bit with the names.
May 3rd, 2008 at 1:33 am
Goodness me, I have heard plenty of good things about this book/movie… but nothing compares with your enthusiastic and passionate review. Will look out for both! Sound like my kind of story…
May 3rd, 2008 at 11:37 am
Zing: Yes. Stop procrastinating and watch it!
ml: Haha! Amir and Hassan, the Sultans of Kabul.
Datin: Eh, you watched it liao also?
Kenny Mah: I think my friends get very fed up with me, keep nagging them to watch this. Yes, it’s my kind of movie and yours too!
May 3rd, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I’ll go get the book
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:27 pm
inaesb: I think it would be better to watch the movie first, then read. The movie missed out a few important scenes but then, it’s guided by time constraints. I felt the movie is beautifully made and should not be riddled with additional heart breaking scenes. Or else, I would flood the cinema with my tears.
May 3rd, 2008 at 5:20 pm
looks like i should take out my dusty book out and finally get round to reading it.
May 3rd, 2008 at 10:21 pm
yes i stepped into the cinema with absolultely NO expectation but it was a good 2 hrs spent.
my friend mentioned its award winning movie and the 1st thing that came into mind was boredom
which is not something i appreciate too well. but it has changed my mind since..
peace
datin
May 3rd, 2008 at 11:10 pm
Just watched it. Very good indeed, but not to the point of crying buckets… Definitely touching, and one man’s journey for redemption. Interperse all that with so many different relationships, beautiful scenes, plight of the Aghan people, and so many more besides. Good movie. One of the better ones I have watched.
May 4th, 2008 at 2:10 am
epicuriousgirl: I guess so! I managed to finish the book in 3 nights! I added you in my blogroll. Love your food reviews!
Datin: I am glad enjoy the movie too. I think I would want to watch it again.
I think I am the only one with a very soft heart.
zing:
May 4th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Sigh!! I torn whether to watch it after your reviews and zing’s comments.
I normally prefer pure entertaining stuff like Ironman. Always felt such soulful movies can sometimes be a too gruesome reminder of the world we are in. Sigh!
May 5th, 2008 at 9:54 am
asme: You shouldn’t miss this movie. That’s for sure!
May 6th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
I was at the book store months ago & saw the title displayed on the shelves. Held back from buying for the very reason that it might be a heavy read. However… I will definitely get a copy of the book soon. As for the movie, went to Pavilion to try and catch it. Unfortunately, it wasn’t showing there. Looks like we hav to settle for the DVD.
May 7th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
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