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Blood Diamond Stars: Leonardo Di Caprio, Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly, Michael Sheen and Arnold Vosloo Director: Edward Zwick Scriptwriter: Charles Leavitt Music: James Newton Howard Warner Brothers Running Time: 150 minutes Rating: R Will God forgive us for the things we have done to each other? Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio) says this to Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connelly) as they sit discussing the rape of Africa for its natural resources. In this case the object is diamonds. Archer the smuggler and Bowen the journalist have joined together to help, mainly themselves, but also a man struggling to find his family in this new film from director Edward Zwick (The Last Samurai) called Blood Diamond. The film takes place in the midst of war and fighting in 1990's Sierra Leone. Local farmer Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou) has been ripped from his family and forced to work in the diamond fields. When he finds a large stone he uses it as a bargaining chip to regain his family. This film has many elements that make it a decent if not close to super film. Its only downfall in my opinion is its preachiness that though relevant adds to the extended length of the film and is at times redundant. At one point the journalist Bowen makes a comment that she is afraid the piece she is writing sounds and looks like an infomercial for starving children. At times I thought Blood Diamond had the same flaw. But, that said, the rest of the film makes up for it. The story is intriguing and the characters well developed. All three main actors deliver strong performances. DiCaprio seems to get better and better with each role he takes on. I was worried when he first came on the screen with an accent, but for the most part he made it believable. Possibly his acting would have made up for any shortcomings in the speech department. He plays the former mercenary perfectly and I would not be surprised to see at least a nod when they start slinging out award nominations. The other nod should go to Djimon Hounsou for his role as a peaceful farmer thrown into a battle not his choosing. His dedication to his family and hope for their survival is moving and at times fabulous. And as one other theater goer put it, "He's hot too!" Not sure I took that from the performance, but to each his, or in this case, her own. I liked the contrasting personalities the story gave to Archer and Vandy. Both are from Africa but their lives and attitudes are worlds apart. The movie does well in showing how both characters evolve a little before it is all said and done. They learn from each other and both benefit from each others strengths. Blood Diamond is rated R for strong violence and language. There are many scenes of attacks on villages by rebel forces and the graphic killing of women and children. The violence also involves children as solders killing other children and adults. It is a real portrayal of life in a drastic time for Sierra Leone and depicted here in full color and force. I give this film 4 out of 5 blings. Though long at over two hours the story does keep you until the end. With a spin on Blood Diamond, I'm Matt Mungle The Mungle (12/05/06) Matt is a member of the North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) and hosts the weekly syndicated Indie Rock Radio Show Spin 180. Plus with his wife Cindy they do a weekly radio feature, The Mungles on Movies. For additional reviews and interview clips visit the website www.mungleshow.com
Diamonds have been a mode of currency in the world for thousands of years. They come in all colors, and the ones of color are the rarest and quite valuable. Thus is the story of Blood Diamond, which concerns a pink stone. There is one large South African diamond company and this movie tells the story of how valuable diamonds are acquired, who keeps them and why they become valuable. As we learn in the film, diamonds can even finance wars. Director Edward Zwick ("Glory") knows how to do an action movie with a good story and he does it well here with stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Hounsou. The storyline begins in a calm village with Djimon and family leading a peaceful life. Suddenly, the Sierre Leone war enters their town and the family is brutally separated. Djimon ends up in a hill region mining diamonds. During this time, mercenary Leonardo is concluding his current deal and looking for another. He meets journalist Jennifer Connelly and they become friends. Djimon finds a large pink diamond and manages to hide it. He is seen by one of the guards, but then the camp is overrun with soldiers and Djimon escapes, thinking the guard is dead. Eventually, the paths of Djimon, Leonardo and Jennifer cross. They help him locate his family, especially his son who is being turned into a boy-soldier. In turn Djimon will lead them to the diamond. Who trusts who? It seems as though by this time all of Africa knows of the pink diamond and everywhere they go, someone wants to kill them for information. There are chase scenes by car and in the jungle. Just when you think you know what the ending will be, it takes a different turn to keep you on your toes. Blood Diamond does run a bit long and perhaps one extra scene of Djimon crashing into someone's camp looking for his son, or an extra scene of he and Leonardo being chased in the jungle could have been cut. The photography is wonderfully done, though, and James Newton Howard's soundtrack is an accessory and not overpowering. Di Caprio, Hounsou and Connelly do very well in this movie. In fact, Leonardo Di Caprio and Djimon Hounsou could very well be considered for Oscar nominations. Leonardo transforms from a money-hungry ex-soldier to someone with heart. Djimon is the father aching to find his lost son. Connelly is the journalist who pops up in unexpected places and manages to come through unscathed. What is exposed in this film is not only the diamond trade which can be legal or illegal. In fact, at the end of the film is a notice that potential buyers should ask the dealer if the diamond is legally gotten from the diamond market. Something else exposed is the kidnapping of young boys and turning them into boy-soldier killers. Brainwashing at this age is all too effective. Blood Diamond has a good story to tell, along with several side stories. When you place that diamond on your girlfriend's finger or put your wedding rings on in the morning, who thinks of where the stones actually came from? A humble mining operation or a country at war where life means nothing. Was your diamond one that was smuggled out in a hollow tooth or gotten in a legal operation? Makes one think that all in all, an engagement can be an expensive operation. Copyright 2006 Marie Asner Submitted 12/6/06
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