Movie Review - “Blood Diamond”
*** STARS
I went to go see this film in the theater based on the Oscar nominations Di Caprio and Hounsou received this past week. Leo has more than earned his Hollywood status, but this year he has earned not only a nomination, but a win with “Blood Diamond”. He is pitch perfect in this role, he has never slipped into a character so well before. He is an acting revelation in this film.
This movie stirred my emotions much more than “Babel” which is up for a Best Picture award. I personally think “Blood Diamond” is a much more realistic and compassionate film than that of “Babel”. The acting in “Diamond” is also of a much higher caliber. Jennifer Connolly is gorgeous and true to her character in this movie. She and Di Caprio have a real chemistry and I enjoyed the fact that there were no gratuitous love making scenes between the two of them.
The African setting and scandalous plot add to the adult and genuine pace this movie keeps up. This movie has just as many thrills and action scenes as the latest Bond outing. It was refreshing to see a serious topic handled in an authentic and respectful manner. There were no pretentious or preachy moments in this movie. I learned a lot about the disgusting trade of diamonds and how Americans contribute to the violence and poverty in the deadly sale of these African gems. We witness first hand in this movie how families are ripped apart and how young children are used to commit genocide over the sale of diamonds.
Djimon Hounsou gives a brave and consuming portrayal as a father torn between reuniting his family and finding a huge diamond for smuggler Di Caprio. His role is the stand out performance in this film. Him and Di Caprio have a lot of scenes that crackle with great dialog and tension. This movie was heart wrenching, poetic and brave all at once. It not only entertained it also taught me a few things I was not fully educated on. I appreciate a film that tells an important story and still manages to move you without being overly sentimental. “Blood Diamond” is a great adult film.
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