Although Holes may seem like some kiddie flick, it’s actually much deeper than that. Well, not that much deeper, let’s say deepish. It’s one of those movies that both grown-ups and kids will enjoy, probably for different reasons but still. It’s always nice to change your perspective, to keep your thinking sharp and as wide as possible. And these movies about teenagers do exactly that. Who knows, maybe you’ll remember something from your own childhood and have an epiphany. Oh yes, that’s why I feel that way or that’s why I did that. Something that’s actually a plot of this movie.
Holes is a Disney movie, but it doesn’t follow the usual dumbed-down, politically correct screenplay. It stays true to the book with its realistic approach and engaging atmosphere. I mean, kids do steal stuff and they are sent to correctional facilities with much harsher conditions in real life. The storytelling is captivating and once you start this journey, you’ll simply have to finish it. Mostly because of phenomenal character development and the story itself. Young Shia Lebeouf was phenomenal in a lead role, way before he started to go off his rails. I should also mention Jon Voight and Sigourney Weaver adding more weight to the whole thing. Voight who strangely looks like Donald Trump.
Meet Stanley Yelnats IV, a young teen who’s just been arrested for stealing a pair of sneakers. Sneakers that he didn’t steal, but that’s nothing new for this unfortunate young man. Actually, his whole family seems to be cursed with bad luck. Now, a judge asks him whether he wants to serve his sentence in a prison or a work camp. Stanley chose work camp not knowing that it’s one hell of a place…
Holes is, among many things, also a great coming-of-age movie. It’s not overly quirky and lighthearted using an honest approach to tell quite a strange story. I mean, right from the opening scene where you see a bunch of kids digging holes in the field, you start wondering what the fuck is going on here. I also can’t help but feel a strong eighties vibe here. Like this is some updated version of Goonies or a serious The Princess Bride. Finally, I leave the above-mentioned deepish analysis to you. Just think about what our childhood should look like and what happens when we grow up. Are you digging a hole right now?
Director: Andrew Davis
Writer: Louis Sachar
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight, Tim Blake Nelson, Shia LaBeouf, Khleo Thomas, Ski Carr
Fun Stuff: Sigourney Weaver wanted to be in this film because “Holes” is her daughter’s favorite book.
Rating:
IMDb Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0311289/
