Holes (2003)

Fans of author Louis Sachar's book Holes will be delighted with this scrupulously faithful adaptation. After being wrongly found guilty of stealing a pair of sneakers, Stanley Yelnats (Shia LaBeouf) gets sent to Camp Green Lake, a juvenile correctional facility in the bed of a long-gone dry Texas lake. There--under the watchful eye of overseer Mr. Sir (a zesty Jon Voight), sneakily mean therapist Dr. Pendanski (Tim Blake Nelson, O Brother Where Art Thou?), and the cool and cruel Warden (Sigourney Weaver)--Stanley and dozens of other delinquents are forced to dig an endless series of holes that the Warden hopes will lead her to a precious secret left behind by a long-dead female outlaw (Patricia Arquette). Sachar's book is beloved for its vivid characters and suspenseful plot; by sticking close to its source, Holes has become a dynamic, exciting, and surprisingly touching movie. --Bret Fetzer Amazon.com

Holes

My entire family enjoys this movie -- ages 7 to 43 -- Disney has done it again! December 16, 2008

Close to the actual book!

I read this book often with my students. It's extremelely well written and engaging for children. When the movie first came out, I cautioned my students that they may be disappointed in the way the book has been translated to the big screen. Much to my surprise, the movie is great! November 2, 2008

Holes

This was bought as a gift. My kids already had this movie and loved it. Recommended for 8 years and up. October 19, 2008

Damon Medic review of "Holes"

Damon Medic says that if you want to see a film that will grab your interest from beginning to end, then you have to see "Holes." This film has such a unique premise that is set up by a flashback from a Ku Klux Klan murder of a black man because he was caught kissing a white woman. Flash forward to present day that takes place in a camp for juvenile delinquents who are forced to dig holes in the daily heat of a dried lake where it hasn't rained in a hundred years. This is a film that will be enjoyed by children and adults alike.
Damon Medic October 8, 2008

Enjoyable

All in all, I was quite pleased with this film. It stayed true to the book, most of the boy actors gave respectable performances, and it remained upbeat and interesting. The emotional bits went at a good pace, and most of them didn't reach that scary level of corniness. I feel that most of the critics are just being sticks-in-the-mud--I chatted with a few friends who had never before read the book and they followed it well enough. A little intelligence when viewing a film doesn't hurt. #1. This ain't the first movie to do flashbacks. #2. Louis Sachar didn't write the original novel for pre-schoolers.

My only big complaint was Patricia Arquette. While she was delightful as the cute school marm, I had trouble believing her as a ruthless criminal.

There were a few other rough parts and some spots that, frankly, could have been handled differently. But for the most part, this is a good family film that everyone should enjoy. August 31, 2008

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