Last night Marcia and I finished watching “Blood Diamond” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, and Jennifer Connelly. We watched the first half of this movie approximately three weeks ago. Not the best way to do it.
Here is a quick rundown on the plot thanks to IMDB:
Set against the backdrop of civil war and chaos in 1990’s Sierra Leone, “Blood Diamond” is the story of Danny Archer (DiCaprio) - an ex Mercenary from Zimbabwe - and Solomon Vandy (Hounsou) - a Mende fisherman. Both men are African, but their histories as different as any can be, until their fates become joined in a common quest to recover a rare pink diamond that can transform their lives. While in prison for smuggling, Archer learns that Solomon - who was taken from his family and forced to work in the diamond fields - has found and hidden the extraordinary rough stone. With the help of Maddy Bowen (Connelly), an American journalist whose idealism is tempered by a deepening connection with Archer, the two men embark on a trek through rebel territory, a journey that could save Solomon’s family and give Archer the second chance he thought he would never have.
The bad thing about watching a movie this way is that you are taken out of the emotion and drive. I totally forgot what brought Archer and Solomon together until reading this synopsis.
I am sure there is a lot of truth in this film, but I didn’t realize that there was such a bloody war to control the “conflict” diamond business. It kind of opens your eyes. As for the movie itself, other then a “Hollywood” ending, it gave you quite a ride. Especially given that one of the main characters you should loathe (meaning Archer). But you are given a chance to see what drives him and why he is doing it. It helps humanize his character, though doesn’t forgive him. Hounsou’s performance was quite spectacular. His character Solomon is all about his family, and he keeps that through, the fire and passion of saving them, and getting as far away as possible from those that are fighting.
Again, it’s tough to watch a movie when you purposely put a three week intermission in it, but we are dictated by forces that are hard to control sometimes. But even with that, you can see where the hype is coming from. Especially since DiCaprio is shedding the young man good looks for a more rugged and diversified repertoire.
April 29th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Just so you know, below is an example of what was written in the place where I usually leave my website address. Similar letters and numbers were also in the e-mail and name box.
N_xrQ3×3WUyB-y8xa9w2nwkOUJjsCUJcTPBkgx0e27CFOZZYCInOD5-maR4C-Ug0
By the way, Blood Diamonds was a film that just didn’t interest me enough, much like lots of Oscar buzz films. In fact the only one I bothered going to see was Dream Girls.