Kites
2010 · Directed by Anurag Basu
Original language: Hindi
- drama
- action
- romance
The story
A wounded man searches for his sweetheart in the Mexican desert while on the run from the police, bounty hunters, and others.
What it’s like
Saturated, sun-bleached colour in wide desert vistas, with dusty roads, motel neon, and bright Mexican street markets, all shot in glossy studio-polished widescreen. Bollywood-scale song and dance numbers break up the tension, with big choreographed ensembles, rhythmic percussion, and sweeping strings and synth-pop textures that swing between romantic and urgent. The vibe is passionate and melodramatic, with a fugitive restlessness under the glamour. Pacing is brisk, switching between chase scenes, flashback-tinged romance, and extended musical set pieces. The emotional register is heightened and tragic, following a wounded man and his lover who are pulled apart by danger and forced to hold on to each other. Intensity is moderate: there are gunfights, fistfights, and bloody injuries, and a tragic death lands hard, but gore is limited. Romance includes kissing and sensual dancing, with no explicit sex. Suited to viewers who want a big, emotional, music-filled romance with an action spine, a weekend escape, or a sweeping watch with a box of tissues nearby.
More films like Kites
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved Kitesand we’ll explain which ones fit you.
