The Kite Runner (2007)

Directed by Marc Forster, The Kite Runner is a film that features the Dari, Pashtu, Russian, Urdu, and English languages. The film partially takes place in California, however the main story occurs in Afghanistan.

The Kite Runner stars Khalid Abdalla as Amir, a boy who grows up in Afghanistan and befriends a young boy named Hassan, who is the son of the family servant. This film shows some disturbing scenes that highlight issues in Afghanistan's history, and is highly valuable for anyone looking for a glimpse into what it may be like to grow up in such a troubled land. From the Taliban to Russians, Afghanistan is a country that has been rocked by fighting and fundamentalists/extremists attempting to seize control by force. Sometimes one can find solace only through escaping to a foreign land such as the USA.

Familial secrets and a guilty conscience find our protagonist putting his "normal" life in California on pause in order to redeem himself for past cowardice in Afghanistan. This film is a must-see, however some may find it a bit too depressing, as often these types of films are. The journey to self realization is never an easy one, however, director Forster makes it one worth taking.

The Namesake (2006)

With films such as Bachelor Party and Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle under his belt, one would think Kal Penn was focused only on comedic acting. However, he gives a great performance as Gogol in the 2006 film, The Namesake. The Namesake is a film that deals with a family of first generation immigrants from India. The parents have come to America to make a better life, and their children, being born in America, act starkly different from how children in India would act. The parents must figure out how to deal with the culture gap between them and their children, all while struggling to fit in America themselves. Gogol, the son of Ashoke and Ashima, tragically begins to discover his connection with his parents' birth country after the death of his father.

Irrfan Khan's portrayal of Ashoke is heartfelt and pure. He gives the character a breath of life that lets the audience know what kind of person he is. He does not want to trouble his son with his own story, but it would mean a lot for him if Gogol did learn the significance of his name.

This film is great for viewing at any time in any company. It's not vulgar or graphic and yet deals with very mature themes., making it a suitable film for any adult.

Central Station (1998)

Central Station is a Portuguese language film based in Brazil. It stars Fernanda Montenegro as the accidental hero, and Vinicus de Oliveira as her benefactor, Josue. After an unfortunate event at the train station, Isadora is left to find Josue's family, or at least find some sort of future for him. It's a powerful roller coaster of emotions as Dora and Josue develop an adoptive mother/son relationship.

Montenegro's casting as Isadora made it a believable character and one that the audience could relate to. She is not the typical movie star beauty who immediately captivates everyone when she enters the room. She is purposefully shown to be an average, even homely woman who is desperately seeking some sort of romantic and familial relationship.

I found this movie to be greatly entertaining, especially as Dora Josue's chemistry was palpable. There are some disturbing themes brought up in this movie, notably one involving Josue's future, but they are tactfully dealt with by the director, Walter Salles. I would recommend this movie for anyone looking for a heartfelt and honest story about two unlikely souls forming a bond that lasts a lifetime.