Kite Runner, The

Aroview: The ravages of Afghanistan and its effect on an American 'refugee' forms the basis of Khaled Hosseini's best-selling book, here given due reverence with lavish Hollywood production muscle, yet with integrity in tact.

Its story of childhood friendship, tragedy, guilt and redemption amid political and idealogical conflict might be by-the-book melodrama, but this very personal, humanistic story also benefits from being uncluttered by political detail. Admirable in its effort to bend an often ignorant Western ear to the troubles of the Middle-East, this is also broadly engaging enough to bring a story spoken (mostly) in the Farsi language to a wider Western audience. An impressive ensemble cast embellish the picture-perfect production.

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