The story you won't see on the evening news

Rating: 9/10 (9 December 2006)

There was no exaggeration I felt in either the terror on the streets or countryside, the brutal conscription of child soldiers, the absolute chaos, or the real back alley diamond trading industry. All the real life stories that never make the 6 pm news. Having lived in Africa for 4 years, it rang too true. I used to think that what was unseen was worse because of what you imagined. What we saw painted a very vivid picture of everything that we've read and heard. It is graphically sobering and shocking.
I cannot believe I am saying this, but I really really liked Leo Dicaprio. He played the Rhodesian Afrikanner perfectly. My husband and I both looked at each other, and said, yikes we know people like this. He had the speech down pat too- "is it", "lekker","kaffir", "bru" for bro, etc.
Jennifer Connely was awful. Although when she wasn't flirting with Leo, she did make some acute observations. And as it always tends to be, the love interest story was a bit contrived. And there were some Hollywoodizations that did not seems to fit - like how a Sierra Leonian gets out of the country without papers, or how Leo takes on the SA mercenaries, or how easily the family reunites. Oh that it were that easy in real life.
Djimon Houssou was incredible. You may remember him from Amistad. Oscar? It was filmed in South Africa and Mozambique. We recognized a lot of the landscape and buildings. There was some shots in Sierra Leone too and you can see what a beautiful country it is.
There is quite of bit of historical context and current events with facts and figures that set the stage. It makes it feel more authentic.
No doubt there is a guilt trip attached to the film, but we both felt like it was one worth handing out. Whether it is food or clothes or diamonds, people in general don't seem to care where it comes from or under what circumstances, as long as it is a bargain or serves them well.
Overall, we would have to say we would recommend it for its social message.