Jan 23, 2007 12:53 AM
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From the director, Edward Zwick of ‘Glory’ and ‘The Last Samurai’ comes a scintillating reality of Blood Diamonds. A riveting drama set in the conflict torn Sierra Leone in 1999, where militants invade villages, killing thousands of people, causing a civil war that leaves over a million civilians homeless.
It is well said in the movie that ‘every time a substance is found in Africa, the locals die’. First it was ivory, then gold, then oil and then, Diamonds.
The process of diamond smuggling is the scintillating aspect of the movie which questions the very aspirations of the rich population outside Africa. The smuggler buys the diamonds from the militants who have taken control over the mines and sells them to well known firms of the western world. The proceeds help fund the arms and ammunition for the terror that the militants spread throughout the country, while the smuggler, along with the various other dealers and retailers makes a fortune over the sale of the precious stones. The terror is brutal to say the least and quite often, merciless and barbaric.
‘Killing has become a way of life here in Africa’ says the smuggler, Danny Archer(played superbly by Leonardo DiCaprio) to the stunning American journalist, Maddy Bowen(the beautiful Jennifer Connelly) as she tries to get a sensational story for her magazine out of the cynical Danny who, although cunning and sharp as an ex-mercenary, is desperately seeking an exit from Africa. Solomon Vandy, played brilliantly, as always by Djimon Hounsou(films – In America, Amistad, Gladiator, The Island) is a fisherman kidnapped by the RUF, the rebel group of Sierra Leone who also destroyed his village, took his son away to train him as a militant and left the rest of the family homeless. Solomon is made to work at a diamond mine where he chances upon a big pink diamond but on a surprise raid by the armed forces, is forced to hide it someplace. He is then taken into custody where Danny(also caught smuggling diamonds across to Liberia), realizes that he is in possession of a big diamond- the key to his escape from Africa. Danny convinces Solomon that the only way for him to find his son and save his family is to help Danny find the diamond. Meanwhile, Maddy seeks Danny’s assistance for her story while he seeks her help with her contacts that can get him around the country. This mutual relationship avoids being a romance. It never tends to drag the movie or feel like the typical mushy element of an action movie.
Our protagonists face a formidable challenge in getting around the country during the outbreak of a civil war and there is never a dull moment as they are always on the run for their lives.
The film is credible and spectacular in its action. Real stunts with stunning cinematography leave you on the edge of your seats while in the rest of the scenes, you get a glimpse of gorgeous Africa. Watch the scenes where Danny and Solomon find their way past the place that is being annihilated by the confrontation between armed forces and the RUF. It is all powerful enough to make you want more of it. The action somehow strikes a right balance. Not too gory but intense, not over-the-top but realistic with the stunts.
The film depicts some harsh realities: -
· The horrifying process by which the kids are drugged, manipulated, brainwashed and trained to become merciless killers.
· The process of diamond trade wherein the final buyer will never know whether the diamond he/she purchases from even a reputed firm is conflict free or not.
· Over a million people left homeless in refugee camps after the civil war broke out in Sierra Leone.
· The brutal violence carried out by the rebellion groups where they amputated hands, slit throats and shot through heads with no firm political agenda.
· The inability of the western world to control this trade of Conflict stones in time.
Director Edward Zwick touches upon this unexposed reality to make us realize to what extent our buying decisions can affect entire nations. His characters are powerful, the screenplay is superlative, the cinematography is superb and although the film goes beyond 140 minutes, it holds you throughout its length. The director thus succeeds in yet another of his rare hard hitting stories that reflects the negligence of the indulgent world.
Djimon is competent in his serious role as a helpless African who is desperate to find his family and free his son from the clutches of the rebels. Although with a stern face, he does bring out a lot of emotions in a convincing manner.
Jennifer Connelly with her dreamy eyes is as stunning as ever and her performance brings some lightness to the intense film.
Leonardo DiCaprio…… the actor takes a powerful film to another level. His seriousness and commitment get reflected into an Oscar deserving performance, his best after The Aviator. Danny’s character is a well crafted one, giving scope to Leo to portray his versatility to its potential. Watch him as he first confronts the rebel leader to crack a deal, as he dashes around the streets escaping missiles and gunfire and towards the end when he sits on the hillside with a gun, aiming at the fast approaching military. His character journeys through that of an ambitious smuggler to a flirtatious drinker, to a skillful ex-mercenary in dire circumstances and a character that realizes that he values something more than his own freedom and life. Leo does it better than anybody else could.
Blood Diamond is powerful, didactic and spectacular in its action and portrayal of Africa. Watch it because it is thoroughly well made and for Leonardo DiCaprio in a stunning avatar.
