Disney’s “Holes” is a live-action adventure comedy film released in 2003, based on the 1998 novel of the same name by Louis Sachar. The film was directed by Andrew Davis and produced by Walt Disney Pictures.
The story revolves around Stanley Yelnats IV (played by Shia LaBeouf), a teenager who is wrongfully convicted of stealing a pair of sneakers and is sent to Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention camp in the Texas desert. At Camp Green Lake, the warden (played by Sigourney Weaver) forces the inmates to dig holes in the dry lake bed under the guise of building character and teaching discipline.
As Stanley spends his days digging holes, he befriends a group of other inmates, including Zero (played by Khleo Thomas), who is illiterate but has a mysterious past. Together, they discover that the camp is hiding a dark secret related to buried treasure and the history of Stanley’s ancestors.
Throughout the film, flashbacks reveal the story of Stanley’s family curse and the legend of Kissin’ Kate Barlow (played by Patricia Arquette), a notorious outlaw who once roamed the area where the camp is located.
“Holes” received positive reviews from critics and was praised for its engaging storyline, strong performances, and mix of humor and drama. The film’s themes of friendship, redemption, and the consequences of past actions resonated with audiences.
As a Disney film, “Holes” is known for its family-friendly content and entertainment value suitable for both children and adults. It also addresses serious themes such as racial discrimination and the importance of standing up for what is right.
Overall, “Holes” remains a popular and beloved film in Disney’s live-action catalogue, showcasing the talents of its young cast and delivering a compelling and adventurous story with a meaningful message.
Fun Facts
- “Holes” is a 2003 film based on the novel of the same name by Louis Sachar. It stars Shia LaBeouf as the main character, Stanley Yelnats, who is sent to a juvenile detention camp where the boys are required to dig holes as part of their punishment.
- The film features an ensemble cast that includes Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight, and Patricia Arquette. The performances of the young actors, including Shia LaBeouf, were praised for their authenticity and contributed to the film’s success.
- “Holes” was notable for its dual narrative structure, with scenes set in the present and flashbacks to the past, gradually revealing the interconnected stories of the characters. This storytelling technique added depth and intrigue to the film’s plot.
Additional Details
Cast
- Sigourney Weaver: Louise Walker
- Jon Voight: Marion “Mr. Sir” Sevillo
- Patricia Arquette: Katherine “Kissin’ Kate” Barlow
- Tim Blake Nelson: Dr. Kiowa “Mom” Pendanski
- Shia LaBeouf: Stanley “Caveman” Yelnats IV
- Khleo Thomas: Hector “Zero” Zeroni
- Brenden Jefferson: Rex “X-Ray”
- Jake M. Smith: Alan “Squid”
- Byron Cotton: Theodore “Armpit”
- Miguel Castro: José “Magnet”
- Max Kasch: Ricky “Zigzag”
- Dulé Hill: Sam the Onion Man
- Henry Winkler: Stanley Yelnats III
- Siobhan Fallon Hogan: Tiffany Yelnats
- Nathan Davis: Stanley Yelnats II
- Noah Poletiek: Brian “Twitch”
- Rick Fox: Clyde “Sweet Feet” Livingston
- Scott Plank: Charles “Trout” Walker
- Eartha Kitt: Madame Zeroni
- Roma Maffia: Atty. Carla Morengo
- Zane Holtz: Louis “Barf Bag”
- Shelley Malil: the Yelnats’ Landlord
- Damien Luvara: Elya Yelnats
- Sanya Mateyas: Myra Menke
- Ravil Isyanov: Morris Menke
- Ken Davitian: Igor Barkov
- Steve Koslowski: Lump
- Michael Cavanaugh: Judge Austin Gorg
Crew
- Director: Andrew Davis
- Producer: Andrew Davis, Lowell D. Blank, Mike Medavoy and Teresa Tucker-Davies
- Music: Joel McNeely
