So when I started writing this I didn't realise their were actual set topics we had to write about... Now its the night before it's due and I don't have the sheet but my good pal Dray Dray filled me in on the topics and I don't like them so here's this:
So after watching the Kite Runner movie there were a few things that seemed off. I liked the book a lot and the film-makers left out some details I thought were pretty important. First of all omitting Sohrab's attempt at suicide changed the entire tone of the end of the novel. It was left out and it changes the severity of Sohrab's depression. In the novel he's shown as excited to go to America, he asks about the bridges in San Francisco and seems somewhat happy about it, up until he finds out he may have to go to an orphanage temporarily. His fear of being put back where he started is his motivation to attempt to kill himself. In the novel we see Sohrab lose all hope as he attempts to kill himself and then becomes a mute reclusive child, opposite to the hope we see before in him. However in the film he simply remains quiet after being rescued. Although it's still understandable seeing as he has gone through serious trauma from being held captive, we don't get any idea of what he might actually be like. We are unaware if Sohrab is just a shy quiet kid, or if he's just upset to be out of his home. In the film we aren't given any idea as to Sohrab's feelings and it leaves a lot to the imagination as opposed to the novel where Sohrab's character is much more defined.
Okay so that had literally nothing to do with the title it just kind of bugged me. Now here's what I really wanted to talk about.
Hassan's harelip... such a little detail they could have just added with a little make up for the first few scenes and then taken it off but noooooooooooo they had to do it there way.
The harelip is a very important part of the story. Not only is it a symbol but it gives us a little insight into a few characters. The harelip is a simple deformity, it would be shown as a sign of weakness in some cultures and to any kids its an easy thing to pick on in any culture (kids are mean). However Hassan smiles on through it and stays positive and happy in his own little world. From this we see Hassan's true character, despite all of his struggles in life, his status, the way he is treated, etc he accepts his life the way it is and stays positive. We also see some of Baba's character, as we later find out Baba is Hassan's father too. We see Baba's empathy and acceptance through his love for Hassan despite his cultural status or any flaws he may have. Baba sees Hassan for his character alone and treats him with love.
Ok I get this is long but hold on because this is my final point...
Hassan's harelip is also extra important because it is used to symbolize Amir's change nearing the end of the story.
Amir goes through a large change in character in the final section of the story as he becomes more brave and honourable through tracking down and saving Sohrab. After he fights Assef and saves Sohrab Amir mentions a scar on his lip, stating it resembles a cleft lip. This subtle similarity is mentioned for a reason. To show Amir has become similar to Hassan, who is shown to be an extremely honourable man and a good father to Sohrab. Amir's inner change into an honourable man more suited to be a father is shown by his outer change to resemble Hassan.
But with the harelip taken out of the movie, that change is much more difficult to see. The only glimpse we get is the parallel of the line "for you a thousand times over" at the end, however with no change visible before this scene it's quite difficult to get an idea of Amir's over all change in character.
Overall I found the characters in the movie far less developed then they were in the book. They were much less relatable and all together a lot less real. However the location and actual look of the movie was quite nice although the movie could have been done better.
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