More movies should be like this.

Rating: 10/10 (15 October 2017)

Normally, I wait awhile to review movies unless I see them in theaters, but I feel compelled to review this movie sooner. It had an immediate and profound impact on me in a way that few movies have. The story here is not special in a cosmetic sense, and doesn't do anything fancy in any production areas. But it hits the viewer on so many levels with brute force. There's a ton of emotion that makes you really care for the characters and want to help the characters. It shows a real international issue from all sides and puts it in context of how it impacts one family.
Solomon's struggle to get back to his family was tangible at every step along the way in his triumphs and his failures. We see his dedication to raising a safe and successful family right away, which I think is great because it legitimizes the way he is always in contrast to the violence around him. It's wonderful that he gets so much attention because him trying to make a better life for his family is what seems to be the best way to combat the corruption and violence that is tearing the country apart. Danny is the contrast to Solomon, but he's also someone we can root for in a way. His goals are not as pure as Solomon's but they are pressing enough that I found it believable that he would use Solomon the way that he does. The ending with him helping Solomon and his son escape and calling Maddy as he bleeds out is a beautiful moment. Maddy was also an unexpectedly good character. I couldn't tell at fist if she was going to be a big character or just appear for the one bar scene. I really liked the scene where she and Danny talk about how difficult it is for the diamond issue to be solved.
The social issue of the diamond trade seeps its way into every scene, even the romantic tension between Danny and Maddy, and the surprise ambushes from the revolutionaries. Even when the focus is on the characters, it's always in the context of the diamond issue. This was what really struck me about the movie. As soon as it finished I immediately felt obligated to start researching the products that I buy and find out how it gets made. Maddy has a line at one point, "People back home wouldn't buy a ring if they knew it cost someone else their hand." Well, this movie made me want to find out how many hands I've chopped off without knowing it and make sure I don't cut off any more. I'm thinking that I'll boycott companies by telling them that I won't buy their products unless I can be assured that nobody's getting screwed over in the process. It might not do much, but if enough people boycott, it might. I'm only mentioning this to show just how powerful of an impact this movie had on me and why you should watch it before it goes off Netflix. Blood Diamond's message to us as consumers is: "Let the buyer beware."
If you liked Babel, you will love Blood Diamond. It's not really an action movie even though there's a lot of fighting in it, but it will definitely keep your attention and make you feel something. The scene where Solomon is reunited with his son Dia Vendy nearly made me cry and had me on edge the whole time. It's very character driven, but also shows all sides of the issue. I just cant say it enough: watch this movie. It's your obligation as a citizen of the world. Overall Rating: 8.7/10.