HOLES (2003) ** Louis Sachar's children's book makes a number of points that are more difficult to translate onto celluloid. That being the case, the film is probably going to work best for those who have read the book. The concept of events being strung through time is developed well through the intertwining plotlines, though in a more necessarily shallow manner on film. Andrew Davis nails the older stories with a quick shot or two, and draws enough interest in each to leave it there, large for reference. It's interesting how the popular children's stories of the day, think this and Harry Potter and Horrible Histories, project terrible realities and odds almost too great to overcome. Almost. And that's good, given the kind of world that we're passing on to our children--they're going to need the courage and faith in longshots. Much of the film lagged for me, so much that even the cartoonish performances of Jon Voight (as the gloriously named "Mr. Sir") and Sigourney Weaver couldn't offer as much help as was needed. When Sachar turns the corner in his plots, though, we're talking Ferrari maneuverability, and Khleo Thomas and Shia LeBeouf were standing by with outstanding performances to offer both redemption and salvage. Written with broad poetic strokes pointing in imprecise directions, I believe that it's a credibly accurate portrayal of the cosmos, the rehabilitative nature of punitive state action, and the Texas penal system in general. I'd also like an investigation into the death of Kissing Kate, as I have written evidence that it went down different, albeit from the same source. Impeaching his own credibility in order to limit liability, Sacher, now there's an old lawyer for you.
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