a message picture, sure, but a good one, with strong leads

Rating: 7/10 (19 December 2006)

Surely Edward Zwick is no stranger to tackling big hot-button topics (the most prominent for me is the Siege where terrorism and martial law in the US) and merging them with "old-fashioned" studio values. Old fashioned meaning that we can expect something of a happy ending, if not for everyone involved then for the more important characters in the lot. Here we're given much more bloody, graphic violence though, with plenty a curse to be found as well, plus some disturbing subject matter, like with children being taught to shoot at younger and younger ages in countries abroad. But it's a reality too that Zwick and his team are capturing with Blood Diamond, a dramatic thriller about the corrupt system that was (or maybe still is) in effect in Africa where diamonds get shipped across country lines, then get transferred to the rest of the world, but not without the share of multiple casualties, to confusing lengths (appropriately so). It carries it's message in tow throughout, particularly at the end hammering it in like a hangover. But aside from this, and a couple of rushed bits in the script and storytelling, it's a solid picture with some terrific performances.
Although I'd still go with Leonardo DiCaprio's turn in the Departed as his best role of the year (though it goes without saying that it might be my favorite from him so far as an actor anyway), his work in Blood Diamond is not to be scoffed at in the slightest. He's a man through and through here, which may be undermining his work in his 20s, but here at the least he seems poised completely to be a rugged action hero, or a tough one to be sure, who can kick ass and get the job done while also having a touching arc to his tormented, cynical character Danny Archer, diamond smuggler. When he finds out about a very big diamond hidden by Solomon, played by Djimon Hunsou, in assuredly- if I had to guess in shallow terms- an Oscar contending performance for his overall compelling nature. Solomon also lost his family during a raid by rebels who wiped out most of his village. He finally finds most of his family in a refugee camp thanks to Danny and Maddy (Jennifer Connolly, good if not stellar, though not with as much to do), a tough and one-sidedly moral journalist. But his son is not there, and has been indoctrinated into the ranks of the young rebels with guns, whom now he has to strike a deal with Danny- diamond for son, son for diamond, a fair trade it might seem, as Danny just wants to get out of the maelstrom of wretched violence and death that comes with his job.
All of this then is done in a slick, professional style by Zwick and his crew, and that isn't at all problematic (if at times feeling rushed with the script, though definitely Zwick is still a good leap ahead of other contemporaries in the Hollywood action-film department). The story does lurch forward oddly in a couple of spots, mainly in how Danny and Solomon agree to be partners finally- in the midst of an all out street battle. And there's one scene towards the end of Danny & Solomon's journey- following Solomon reunited with his boy (and the subsequent quasi-deprogramming of the son's killing skills, which is very effective as an emotional scene)- that didn't seem too believable to me. But it's the performances and the heightened atmosphere of suspense in the air of a f****-up environment and topic that make it a worthwhile movie. Even when a story point seemed on the verge of total contrivance, I was always wrapped up in what the filmmakers and the actors were trying to convey, so there was always that emotional connection. It doesn't rise surprisingly above to task like the Last Samurai, Zwick's last flick, but it was a very good time throughout, particularly with one unexpected scene involving an animal carcass.
One thing's for sure- you'll be a little more questioning when you look at your local jewelry store for that next big present. 7/10