Shocking

Rating: 10/10 (20 January 2007)

Edward Zwick has crafted a wonderful movie. It is a great escape ride, and somehow manages to be a deeply moving human drama, as well as a political thriller. It is hard to determine its genre, and that's one of the many reasons this was one of the best movies of 2006.
Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou) is an African father who lives in Sierra Leone during 1999. Civil war is everywhere. One day, while walking his son home from school, rebels attack his village. He knows and understands that these rebels are ruthless, and kill without mercy. He tells his son to hide behind a boat. Solomon races to the village to help his wife and other kids escape. However, in the process, Solomon and his son are the ones who are captured. He (Solomon) is sent to dig for conflict diamonds under the strict supervision of the rebel RUF. One day, he finds a large, pink diamond. He understands that this rock could influence his son's freedom. He takes the diamond and hides it. The story eventually makes it to diamond smuggler and former mercenary, Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio). He believes that this diamond, is "his ticket out" of Africa. He understands that it must be worth some millions to the diamond industry back in London or the United States. Archer agrees to help Solomon get his son back if he gets the diamond in return. It is also the story of Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connelly), an American reporter who is intrigued by Danny's role in the illegal diamond trade. All three must find a way to come together, or else none of them will get what they want. Or need.
Leondardo DiCaprio has grown so much as an actor. I never thought very highly of him. He was always OK. Then I saw Martin Scorsese's "The Departed." As Billy Costigan he blew me away in that masterpiece. Now, he delivers another superb performance. When it comes to Leonardo DiCaprio, I will start looking for his movies more often. He is wonderful here. Some critics have complained of his accent. Why? Many South Africans have said that is is very accurate. They have sounded off in the message board. So have people who have been to South Africa or know those who are from there. The accent is true, and there is nothing annoying about it. I wonder if those who complain about the accent have any association with Africa? Sorry, I got off track. Jennifer Connelly is wonderful here as well, a good actress in a role not based on looks. Djimon Hounsou gives the performance of the movie. He is shockingly emotional and deep. I will be surprised if he does not get an Oscar nod.
The screenplay by Charles Leavitt, off of a story by Leavitt and C. Gaby Mitchell, also deserves and Oscar nomination. It it made up of so many elements, layers, violence, and heart. It is deep. It is wonderful.
Edward Zwick (Glory, The Last Samurai), uses his amazing ability as a director to shoot this artistically crafted picture. This movie is nowhere without him.
Africa has had many horrible things happen in it. I'm not saying other countries haven't, but here Africa is the focus, and to know that some of this is still happening is gut-wrenching. The murder and genocide there never seems to stop. This is a film that wants to tell people there's hope. Hope for a better world. It is a moving film. A lot of what we see is disturbing, but life can be disturbing, and this film doesn't shy away from it. It uses its disturbing content to move you into action. Yes, there has been an act to stop the selling of conflict diamonds in over 40 countries. However, illegal diamonds still make it to the market. This movie will make the most serious diamond-lovers reconsider what they're paying for. Any movie that has the ability to make you rethink and take action, was very well-made. Wonderful.
Danny Archer: Sometimes, I wonder; will God ever forgive us for what we've done to each other?