There was a thread on this from way back but I could not find it quickly. I bought and watched this movie tonight. I about cried when the kid said "I'm dirty."

Yah that was a tough one that scene. I am glad the movie ended well.

One of my all time favorite books. I need to get the movie and watch it.

really? i was so disapointed in the movie. i found it terribly cliche. the book was amazing tho. but bad acting and a visually bland film makes me realize the reason it was only in the theatres here for like a week.

I loved the book also but was disappointed in the film. I would have liked the film more if I hadn't read the book. There was so much in the book which had meaning to me that was left out of the movie. You can only put so much into a 2 hour movie I guess. Listening to the author reading the book (unabridged)in the audio was very much more powerful for me then the movie or even reading the book.

Dale

Well, I only saw the film, but if I may, I would like to comment on the moral dimensions of the story.

The main character, after witnessing his friend's rape, shamed him for not "fighting it" or "letting it happen". What I admire about the story was that it was an ultimate act of redemption. He risked his very life to save his dead friend's son from a future childhood of abuse. I can think of no greater feat of honor or epitaph for his friend that he, as a child, foolishly shunned, shamed, and excommunicated for simply being a vulnerable child. He made a horrible mistake and added to the pain that his friend felt, but he made it right.

All of us would like to say that "I would have done that too".... but when you're facing the possibility of death, well, sometimes we falter and don't do the right thing, but this guy did. Pretty powerful moral dimensions.

Should I read the book? lol

Alan,

Definately read the book or listen to the audio version if you can get it. If you liked the movie, you'll love the book I think. I even wrote to the author after listening to him reading the story. I shared some of my story with him and he wrote me back a real nice letter.

Dale

I'll second what Dale said about hearing the author read the book on CD. It really does make it a powerful experience.

Another vote for the audio book. Khaled Hosseini is a fantastic narrator and he really brings that book to life.

And yet another vote for the (audio) book.

A

I bought the movie and watched it tonight (my wife and daughters went out of town today to a family reunion, so I had the place to myself). It was, of course, the tear jerker I remembered from reading the book. Excellent movie.

yea-the words -----------i am dirty-really hit home for me

Me, too, Steve. It just sums it all up.

I guess I should say that for me the most powerful aspect of this story was Amir's guilt and shame at what he regarded as the betrayal of his friend. I felt like I had betrayed my friend too. It had always been up to me to make sure we "got away with it" and stayed out of trouble - this was my job, he was younger than me. What I didn't yet understand was that it can't be a 13-year-old's responsibility to save his 11-year-old friend from an adult, especially not when both of us were being hurt. So it helped me when I got to that part of the book and immediately recognized not only Amir's feelings, but also his own helplessness.

Much love,
Larry

I think some of the more painful moments in the book and film for me was when we see Hassan's unfailing faithfulness to Amir, even when Amir has betrayed him or is openly abusive towards him. There was a lot of Hassan in me when friends were being like Amir, but I didn't think I deserved any better.