good cast with a so-so script

Rating: Null/10 (11 December 2006)

Set in the late 1990s of the civil war-torn continent of Africa comes this well-crafted but unfocused story of a man and his son. Hounsou is a noble, hardworking farmer with a loving family that's torn apart after his son is abducted by a force of corrupt rebel militia. His only choice is to form an uneasy alliance with a covetous, crusading ex-mercenary and treasure hunter (DiCaprio) who has the means to find his son in exchange for the location of a rare and priceless diamond. Starts off good, with an intriguing story and rousing since of adventure, but quickly loses momentum, goes on too long, and shifts tone from action-adventure to familiar political propaganda. DiCaprio (once you get past the hokey accent) acquits himself well in an unexpectedly forceful performance, but the film is grounded by Hounsou's riveting, intensely emotional role as a father driven to desperate means. The father-son relationship is by far the most compelling one in the movie, and would have benefited from greater emphasis. **