The Kite Runner
The Kite Runner Image
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Metascore
61 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.1 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 60 Ratings

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  • Starring: Ahmad Khan Mahmoodzada, Khalid Abdalla
  • Summary: Based on one of the most acclaimed novels in recent memory, The Kite Runner is a profoundly emotional tale of friendship, family, devastating mistakes, and redeeming love. In a divided country on the verge of war, two childhood friends, Amir and Hassan, are about to be torn apart forever. It's a glorious afternoon in Kabul and the skies are bursting with the exhilarating joy of a kite-fighting tournament. But in the aftermath of the day's victory, one boy's fearful act of betrayal will mark their lives forever and set in motion an epic quest for redemption. Now, after 20 years of living in America, Amir returns to a perilous Afghanistan under the Taliban's iron-fisted rule to face the secrets that still haunt him and take one last daring chance to set things right. (Paramount Vantage)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    100
    Like "House of Sand and Fog" and "Man Push Cart," it helps us to understand that the newcomers among us come from somewhere and are somebody.
  2. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: David Edelstein
    80
    The Afghan boys’ kite-flying contests are the emotional core of the film, and Forster and his crew bring the camera into the sky and make it dip and soar along with the kites. It’s a thrilling spectacle, although it’s also tinged with a peculiarly emasculating aggression.
  3. Empire
    Reviewed by: Dan Jolin
    80
    An engaging melodrama whose less convincing plot points are superseded by some astonishingly affecting performances from the mostly unknown cast.
  4. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kenneth Turan
    60
    The Kite Runner is a house divided against itself. The Marc Forster-directed version of the Khaled Hosseini novel does one part of the story so well that its success underlines what's lacking in what remains.

See all 34 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 32
  3. Negative: 2 out of 32
  1. Athena
    10
    What a beautifully told poignant film - it makes you grateful for the life and liberties that we take for granted in democratic countries - and sad and helpless for not being able to do anything to help.… Expand
  2. TerryC.
    8
    excellent movie, well shot, well acted and a great story.
  3. JayH.
    7
    A wonderful and warm film, touchingly made. The score is awesome, the cinematography exceptional. Finely acted, such deep characters. Well written.
  4. Seriosity
    4
    Surprisingly tame. All the issues with the book persist here, but it retains few of the books strengths. It is heavy handed, sugary, mediocre and contrived.… Expand

See all 32 User Reviews

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