”
Holes
”
is terrific, dynamic entertainment aimed at mature teens, but
the film is good enough to cast a spell of wonder and amazement
througout the entire audience. Based upon Louis Sachar’s immensely
popular novel, the film’s script, while obviously leaving some of
the story out, stays true to the heart of the book, and the film is
supremely satisfying, a complete surprise.
“Holes” is terrific, dynamic entertainment aimed at mature teens, but the film is good enough to cast a spell of wonder and amazement througout the entire audience. Based upon Louis Sachar’s immensely popular novel, the film’s script, while obviously leaving some of the story out, stays true to the heart of the book, and the film is supremely satisfying, a complete surprise.
The film, which plays like an outdoor adventure written by a protege of Roald Dahl (“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”), is bizzarely populated by strange adults who run a teenage reform school for troubled youth.
Run by Mr. Sir (Jon Voight), Mr. Pendanski (Tim Blake Nelson) and The Warden (Sigourney Weaver), the correctional camp is creepy and tough, and the punishment for the population of boy prisoners is the opportunity to dig five-foot holes all day long in the hot desert where the institution is located.
“Holes” tells the story of a group of boys condemned to the God-forsaken place called Green Lake (with no lake), concentrating on Stanley Yelnats (Shia LaBeouf), a good kid who gets shipped off after being charged with a crime that was not his fault.
After we meet our characters in their bizzarre, slightly comic situation, we flashback for some backstory, which exposes the true reason for making the boys dig these holes. Stanley’s father (Henry Winkler) and grandfather (Nathan Davis) were victims of an evil curse put opon them by a corrupt fortune teller (Ertha Kitt).
The resolution of this plot point is terrific; it would be wrong to give it away because this film is filled with many such great, surprising moments.
Another flashback points to the real reason The Warden and Mr. Sir are having the kids dig these ridiculous holes: According to the desert legend, a powerful thief named Kate Barlow (Patricia Arquette) dumped some of her treasure in the “Green Lake” area of the desert, and the adults running the facility want to find it, hence the cheap labor.
Coming back to the present, “Holes” now explores the story of Stanley and Zero (Khelo Thomas), who escape from the prison even though they’re warned that there is no water in the desert and they will surely die. To them, anything would be better than the place they are.
The adventure the two new best friends embark upon is suspenseful and dramatic, not to mention supremely exciting. Never dumbing down their characters, Shia Labouf and Khelo Thomas create full, rich personas that resonate with life.
Without superb performances by the movie’s “bad guys” the film wouldn’t work. Tim Blake Nelson, Sigourney Weaver and Jon Voight are all excellent, equally sinister, foul and funny. Voight is especially wicked and chews up every scene he’s in.
“Holes” is a phenomenal fantasy entertainment and is a return to form for director Andrew Davis, whose “The Fugitive” is one of the best action films ever made. Kids are going to flock to this film, which gives them fully dimensional heroes to identify with and root for. Parents who wish to see the film with their kids won’t be disappointed, as the movie works just as well on the kid in all of us.
HOLES. Directed by Andrew Davis. Written by Louis Sachar, based upon his novel. With Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight, Patricia Arquette, Shia LeBeouf, Tim Blake Nelson, Khleo Thomas and Henry Winkler. Rated PG (mild violence, language, and mature themes), 111 minutes. Now playing at Bay Area theaters.
