Sunday, April 29, 2007

"Holes" (2003) - Movie Review (Screened EbertFest 2007)

There is a block in most of the people’s mind when opting to go for any movies. Some may not like the actors/actresses in it. Some may not like the directors in it. Some for some reason may not like the name of the movie itself. And some will not even know the reason for avoiding it. “Holes” has been marketed as children’s movie. That is the block it placed in movie goers. After seeing it, overall the film is meant for all audiences. It has a multi dimensional plot and racing screenplay. It is not the fairyland most of the kid’s movie would constantly provide. The movie runs deeper and for that, this one clearly is an overlooked common genre movie. Roger Ebert caught it and screened it in his film festival.

Having realized that, the movie is a decently well made material which loses the grip on the common audiences at the end. I guess its aim as the kid’s movie needed a finish like that. When I say that, it is not the ending of “everyone lived happily ever after” routine, but the way it got presented. There is a clear indication of the transformation from its tight dialogues to a complete fairyland place. The commanding villains lose the control. The control out here means the control in their character. It takes a hard time for some one getting out of a harsh and ego centric character. Here they do not change into good ones but they lay help less and pathetic which is fine tuned principled ending of kid’s movie, a kid’s movie with a cheesy ending.

The film excelled in collaging the multiple stories in a smooth fast ness. If all that the movie or the story would have shown the struggles and hard ship of the boys digging holes in harsh dry conditions, it would have been one another young boy’s tough life in prison movie. But this film is about fantasy, adventure, friendship and hopes. The idea of combining those in the right way is the positive element of this film. Jon Voight as Marion “Mr. Sir” Sevillo is the funniest and interesting comic character played by him. I have either seen him as the high ranked administrative guy with evil plans or just an old guy with evil plans. Here he brings out the comical nature with the same demoniac eyes and the serious ness too. I enjoyed him walking fancifully and stretching his face unimaginably and frightening the boys more than the lizard which comes in the film.

The ending as I said stands outside of tone, presentation and dialogues from the rest of the movie, in a bad way. This did not stop me from enjoying how all the puzzle comes finished convincingly. This is a movie wherein on a fresh morning, any one with his/her kids and also their parents can relax and watch it with curiousness. Another part I had fun was the soundtrack. Very light and catchy. It is the dessert special. It removes the hot and humid conditions which emanates from the screen. The film sheds out those weather conditions out of the picture frame into the audience. The songs makes the audience gives the pleasure of enjoying the hot cold environment. Brilliant song selections appealing to all audiences.

The film talks about patience, friendship, love and family. These are the right ingredients for any movie and it is surprising that it has been labeled in a different way. The movie is definitely not an extra ordinary material. It had its flaws as any other entertaining movie. Some times there need an adjustment from various departments. The adjustment of course needs to be carefully analyzed and weighed against all other options. In “Holes” it had its adjustment when it finishes. Andrew Davis, the director took the movie as serious as his “The Fugitive” but also provided the fun necessary for it too. This is definitely an overlooked film. Watch it for the fun “hole” digging.

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