The Kite Runner
For you, a thousand times over
2-Hours Is Too Short
**Parts Eliminated / Curtailed From The Movie**
1) Ali and Baba's close relationship: Baba has a brotherly affection towards Ali as they spent their childhood together after Baba's father took care of orphaned Ali.
2) Details of Hassan and Amir's complex relationship, or the depth of it: Amir desires to tease and condescend Hassan, feels jealous for Hassan taking away part of Baba's affection, yet feels guilty for condemning the wrong done against Hassan.
3) Amir and Baba: Baba does love Amir, but shows contempt more often, hurting Amir. Baba lived a different life than Amir; he made his own fortune, was courageous, and athletic. Amir's mother passed away during childbirth (which is only slightly implied in the movie).
Memories never fade away...
2-Hours Is Too Short 2
5) Soraya and Amir: In the beginning, the young couple agrees not to adopt any children. But as Amir goes to Afganistan to find Sohrab, they change thier minds and not only accept but love the unfortunate boy. Such change is significant transition, one step towards maturity.
6) Rahim Khan: After winning the kite tournament, Amir, Baba, Rahim Khan, and others (excluding Hassan) go on a trip to Jalalabad. With his avuncular manners, Rahim Khan insinuates that he knows about Amir's dark secret. Amir's guilt grows even larger.
Movie vs. Book
After the rape...
The movie tends to move fast, not depicting the emotional changes between the characters after the rape. In the book, Amir avoids Hassan and suffers from guilt, and even asks his father to send Hassan and Ali away. Yet, Amir and Baba are emotionally attached more than before.
Coup d'etat
In the movie, Amir reads to Hassan in one peaceful morning. They learn about the coup through radio in the midst of a day. In the book, Amir read to Hassan and Ali at night, and hears several gun shot afterwards. Seeing Ali hug Hassan tightly, Amir feels jealous and left out.
Sohrab
Sohrab is Hassan's only son and a nephew of Amir. The movie eliminates all the difficulties illustrated in the book between Sohrab and Amir, including the troublesome adoption process, Sohrab's distrust, and Sohrab's suicide attempt when he had to return to an orphanage for a few days.