Bloody and tragic portrayal of life in Africa

Rating: 8/10 (13 December 2006)

Blood Diamond takes a look at the diamond business in Sierra Leone in 1999. Most of the diamonds minded in that country at the time were called "blood diamonds" because of all the death and destruction they caused. The money from the diamonds were used to buy weapons to start civil wars, massacres, and enslave more people to mine more diamonds. The film might be fictional, but I'm pretty sure exploitation of Africa is still happening everywhere on that continent, whether it's for diamonds, oil, ivory, or any other precious resources.
Thus, before I go into the review, please make sure that any diamonds you buy is NOT a "conflict diamond" so you don't support more bloodshed and tragedy in Africa. (I'll get off the soap box now) The movie was good, if only because of the amazing acting talents of Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Honsou, and the unflinching and often explicitly violent depiction of war torn Africa/Sierra Leone. Watching one village after another getting slaughtered for no reason other than "revolution" or diamonds was painful (but necessary) to watch. Along with "Lord of War" and "The Constant Gardner", "Blood Diamond" is a film that everyone should see to understand the plight of those who are much more unfortunate than us.
I believe with "The Departed" and this movie, Leo should be getting an Oscar nomination soon, and Djimon Honsou was a very capable supporting actor. The storyline was a bit long and dragged out at moments, and some scenes were too sappy, but overall, I give this movie a high score because of the issues it explored and the strong performances (as well as the great cinematography).
Go check it out. It'll make you appreciate what you have in life and think again when you look for your next diamond purchase.