Powerful, difficult to watch

Rating: 9/10 (8 December 2006)

Blood Diamond is a powerful film. It was very difficult to watch due to the subject matter, and cried for the people of Africa not five minutes into the film. I liken the effect to that of Schindler's List, but whereas the Holocaust happened 50 years before that film, the atrocities surrounding African conflict diamonds is happening now. The most disheartening thing is that not much is being done about it.
But Blood Diamond does have heart. It has a big heart that refuses to give in to cynicism and despair. It is an "if only" film--as in, if only more things this world-changing would happen in real life--yet it is far from being idealistic. Hopefully, everyone who sees it will take it with them long after they leave the theater and will remember it the next time they find themselves eying a diamond in the jewelry store.
As for the actors, Djimon Hounsou shows again what a powerful actor he is, and Leonardo DiCaprio has never been better. He has had a great year between this and The Departed, and is becoming better at his craft every time he appears in a film. I love Jennifer Connelly, but she makes little impact here.
Edward Zwick continues to make powerful films. Glory and The Last Samurai are two of my all-time favorites, and now I add Blood Diamond to that list. It is the most important movie of the year.