MOVIE - HOLES - Review Rating $$$$$ $$$1/2 (OUT OF 10)
STARRING - Sigourney Weaver (The Warden), Jon Voight (Mr. Sir), Patricia Arquette (Kissin' Kate), Shia LaBeouf (Stanley), Tim Blake Nelson (Dr. Pendanski), Khleo Thomas (Zero), Byron Cotton (Armpit), Brenden Jefferson (X-Ray), Henry Winkler (Stanley's Father) & Dule Hill (Sam).
DIRECTOR - Andrew Davis (The Fugitive, A Perfect Murder, Under Siege).
Based on the award-winning children's book, of the same name, by Louis Sachar.
Stanley Yelnats is sent to a camp for juvenile delinquents after being convicted of a crime he didn't commit. Fate and destiny intervene, to make this wrong, right.
Holes is a wonderful story that manages to deal with racism, friendships, loyalty, generosity and the triumph of good vs. evil in a convincing but charming manner. The producers were smart enough to have Hole's author, Louis Sachar, write the screenplay thus ensuring that the numerous important themes weren't given short shrift.
Holes does start a little slowly but quickly gets up to speed once Stanley is sent to Camp Greenlake. At the camp we are introduced to a cast of misfits reminiscent of the Bad News Bears. Stanley's interactions with this group are laden with valuable and unmistakable life lessons about getting a long with your peers and the importance of remaining true to yourself in the process.
The start of the movie is actually the middle of the story. As events progress we are gradually told the rest of the story in flashbacks. There are two stories, actually, the history of the Yelnats family curse and Kissin' Kate & Sam's tragic love affair. These interwoven stories serve as the bridge from the past to the present. Destiny and fate are at work here.
Holes reminds us that not only will good deeds be rewarded but that bad deeds in our past will come back to haunt us. This is one of the aspects of Holes that separates it from most adult movies where adults who act badly almost never suffer repercussions for their actions (i.e. Unfaithful - wife cheats, husband murders and everybody but the boyfriend live happily ever-after, Phone Booth - cheating scum husband gets back with wife & crazed sniper goes free).
The other differences between Holes and most adult movies is an intelligent script (there are a few minor plot holes) and character development. Despite the numerous themes and an extensive cast of characters Holes still fleshes out each character and subplot sufficiently in a reasonable period of time.
When I reviewed Lilo & Stitch, I commented:
The one thought, that kept recurring to me as I watched this movie, was that this film that was meant for children was better written and executed than most of the garbage Hollywood produces for adult viewing. Its ironic that most of the summer blockbusters are not as intelligent as this kid's movie. I'm not sure what Hollywood thinks happens to movie audiences as they age but I wish they would stop serving adults the pabulum they do and make movies for us which have a message, wit and intelligence. Is that too much to ask?
Yes, I know quoting yourself is the epitome of arrogance, but Holes proves this point again and I couldn't think of a better way to say it. It's a sad commentary on the quality of the typical Hollywood movie. Rise up people, please I beg you, and demand better... :)
There are also some great performances in Holes. The young actors do an excellent job and Jon Voight, in particular, is great as Mr. Sir. The entire cast is aided and abetted by the aforementioned excellent script.
I dug "Holes" and highly recommended it for the "whole" family.
Running time - 111 minutes
ALTERNATIVE REVIEWS:
Roger ebert's Review
Rotten Tomatoes Reviews
HOLES OFFICIAL WEBSITE
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© Copyright
2003
David Schwartz.
Last update:
8/9/03; 11:07:48 PM.
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