Brilliant as a diamond but way too violent for the faint of heart

Rating: 8/10 (23 March 2007)

Danny (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a man who likes to live on the edge. A native of Zimbabwe, he plays both sides, delivering arms to rebel groups in war torn Sierra Leone in exchange for money, yet maintaining a relationship with the civil authorities. A journalist (Jennifer Connelly) is new to the area yet manages to nail him to the wall for his ambiguity and selfishness. However, she wants a story about the diamonds-for-guns policy that is out of control and she senses he can give her what she needs. In the meantime, a native father is anguished over his capture and subsequent slavery by the unscrupulous diamond warlords and the loss of his wife, son, and daughter to unknown circumstances. How will the lives of these three players intersect? This is a topnotch film but, it is definitely not for the faint of heart. No, even I did not make it to the end of the film, for the violence is prevalent and devastatingly real, as the movie is based on actual events. On the other hand, the acting is amazing and the African setting exotic and lovely, when the fighting pauses from time to time. Therefore, if you are drawn to films of armed conflict or films that tell the heartbreaking truth, even if it means sitting through scenes of violent inhumanity, this is a movie to consider. It has a very important story to tell and tells it well. Just make certain you can handle its virulent content and, as an added note, do prohibit anyone under 18 from being part of a showing. It has an abundance of haunting images that are hard to shake off with ease.