Holes

Holes: Film, 1982 Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Director: Andrew Davis Run time: 

117 minutes.

Plot: Stanley Yelnats is a young man sent off to Camp Green Lake to “serve time” for stealing sneakers (falsely accused but the truth is revealed later). Life at the “lake” is directed by all the boys being awakened in the pre-dawn hours to be transported out to the desert to dig holes all day in order to “build character”.  But is this truly the reason why these boys are digging these god-forsaken holes?  Stanley finds himself surrounded by a cast of characters who dismiss him at first but then slowly bring him into the fold.  One character establishes himself early on as the truest outsider – a young boy named “Zero”. “Zero” and Stanley become fast friends and as challenges present themselves, these two friends discover what it really means to have each other’s back.  The story is enhanced by flashbacks to the ancestral past as well as legends that inform this particular region.  An escape from camp, the constant fear of the yellow-spotted lizard, the terror of the dangerous and greedy warden, the legend of a “kissing bandit” and buried treasure/money, as well as friendships discovered, will inform the characters’ journeys.  Watch what is “unearthed” in this enjoyable film for tweens.

Review/Personal thoughts: Holes is a film that immediately brings you into the world of the “underdog”. The motley crew of boys who are serving time become a kind of family and want nothing more than to stop digging these holes.  The film captures the importance of family, connections to the past, the loyalty of friendship, and the ever-present battle of greed vs. doing what is right.  It is a film about being true to yourself as well as loyalty to one another.  Holes is a film that speaks to the importance of stories in our lives as well as the ties the bind.  Tweens will most certainly be drawn into this film and find themselves rooting for these boys as they build friendships and discover truths about themselves as well as so much more.

Rated: PG

Interest Level: Ages 10 and up

Awards:  Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards, Sierra Award, Best Family Film, 2004.