Forster’s film conveys deep emotion with tremendous power and without forcing the issue. He is able to direct in a way that lets things happen organically. Forster coaxed a brilliant performance out of Halle Berry in the incredible Monster’s Ball and has an excellent track record for being a sensitive director with his performers. His ability to listen is obvious as one watches the story unfold on the screen. Forster’s respect for Hosseini’s novel is clear, too, as he remains faithful to many of the most poignant elements and allows Hosseini’s characters the right light in which to shine.

The child actors, Ebrahimi, Mahmoodzada, and Ali Dinesh, who plays Sohrab, are incredible and natural in their roles. They are convincing and powerful, often out-performing their adult counterparts with grace and simplicity. The families of the child actors have expressed fears about reprisals from the film, however, and Paramount relocated the three (plus another child actor playing a minor role) to the United Arab Emirates, paying their expenses until the boys reach adulthood. The Kite Runner was banned in Afghanistan theatres and DVD shops because of the ethnic tensions that the film highlights.

The Kite Runner is an immersive film that shows two sides of Afghanistan and two sides of its characters, both impacted considerably by the passage of time. The performances are moving, the screenplay is a dazzling adaptation of Hosseini’s excellent novel, and Forster’s direction is respectful and dignified in tying it all together in a beautiful way. I highly recommend The Kite Runner.

The DVD is a nice package overall, but doesn’t offer much by way of special features other than a pair of behind-the-scenes docs that showcase how Hosseini’s vision came to life. There is also an insightful commentary with Hosseini, Forster, and screenplay writer David Benioff that discusses the film in detail and highlights some of the differences between novel and movie. There are no deleted scenes, outtakes, or any other treats, but the film is strong enough on its own to serve with minimal accompaniment.