Intense and emotionally flooring from start to finish

Rating: 10/10 (23 December 2006)

It's easy to be deceived by the marketing for a movie such as Blood Diamond. While it may have been presented through movie trailers, publicity material and the like as a standardised Hollywood suspense movie, complete with Leonardo DiCaprio and the like... do not be fooled into thinking that is all Blood Diamond boils down to, because there is so very much more to it than that. In essence, the movie seems to be the amalgamation of two or three films shoved together into one - the intense, emotionally draining story of the Sierra Leone atrocities, the political story showing the futility of so much bloodshed over simple stones, and of course the suspenseful adventure movie, but one far more genuine and emotionally gripping than we have seen for years.
The thing which really sets Blood Diamond apart from most other movies with similar subject matter is the way that the content is presented. Rather than a borderline propaganda film harping on our sense of guilt, trying to get us to get us to send a cheque, all of the horrendous events shown detailing the Sierra Leone crisis are portrayed in a relatively impartial yet brutally unflinching fashion. In this aspect, Blood Diamond is by far one of the most upsetting films of the past several years simply because it doesn't turn a blind eye to the horrifying massacres - expect to see entire families getting brutally gunned down for no reason at all, limbs being chopped off innocent people unlucky enough to be caught, and children wielding firearms, grunting in the fashion of bloodthirsty adults.
Some viewers have complained that the intense violence especially concerning children was almost exploited, a sort of cash in for our entertainment. I disagree; the violence was incredibly upsetting, yes, but in terms of emotional impact it seemed far more genuine than any relief film or commercial. This is just as meaningful as any other Sierra Leone publicity material, and far more relatable. Simply because the massacres and horribly unjust treatment were shown in such a matter of fact fashion, simply as a fact of life, it drove the emotional resonance home all the more strongly, since the audience is haunted all the more by the knowledge that such atrocities are still going on strong in the world, simply for the sake of our decadence.
Edward Zwick, director of the terrific The Last Samurai has produced a film of a similar vein, but is ultimately far superior to any work he has done in the past. The sheer emotional impact of the movie feels like a physical blow to the head, yet one cannot deny, despite the disturbingly brutal content how the film is still an enjoyable thrill ride on the side. How the two can be tacked together is beyond me, but somehow Zwick pulls it off - we are horrified yet elated in turn, all the time drawn in by some utterly gorgeous African cinematography, a tense, exciting score, a compelling and terse script by Charles Leavitt, and of course some incredibly affecting and powerful acting. As a matter of fact, there is only one scene in the entire film which comes across as cheesy or clichéd - there are more which come close, but such fears are alleviated by the superb cast acting at the top of their game.
Leonardo DiCaprio has been showing a drastic increase in talent of late, but there can be no doubt that 2006 showcases what is by far the strongest work he has ever put onto a movie screen, what with his work here, and stealing the show with an immensely powerful performance in Martin Scorsese's The Departed. DiCaprio makes the role of jaded and cynical diamond smuggler Danny Archer his own, nailing the south African accent, and completely immersing himself in his character, and never once letting any trace of himself save his charismatic and flooring performance through, making it impossible to picture any other actor playing the part. Djimon Hounsou impresses similarly with a simply wonderful and haunting performance as fisherman Solomon Vandy, who is taken through indescribable trials and horrifying tribulations, all the time only wanting to use the priceless conflict diamond he hid in a hole by the river to free his enslaved family.
Jennifer Connelly also gives a strong and resonant performance as American journalist Maddy Bowen, a wonderful addition to the film even if she is without question outshone by Hounsou and especially the charismatic DiCaprio. Arnold Vosloo also gives a solid performance as the the military general head of Archer's smuggling ring, and David Harewood makes one of the most horrifying villains of the past few years as one of the Sierra Leone slavers. The terrific Michael Sheen also turns in a tidy little performance as an infuriating buyer of Archer's conflict diamonds.
All in all, Blood Diamond is one of the most powerful and stunningly well done films in recent memory, serving as a superb film on so many levels. Politically resonant, emotionally flooring, and packed with wonderfully genuine yet affecting performances from top to bottom, especially the intensely powerful DiCaprio and wonderful Hounsou. A superb piece of work from start to finish, expect this movie to stay with you for days after its initial viewing.
-10/10