A truly important piece of film history

Rating: 10/10 (10 January 2005)

I just saw this movie, not knowing what to expect. I was absolutely blown away. This movie was well-acted, well-directed, and well-written- but even more importantly, it is a direct portrayal of true events. In reviews for this movie I have run across a few negative comments by the critics, and the main one has been that "the movie is too much of a 'hero' piece," and to those critics I respond: yes! It is a hero piece! Paul Rusesabagina was a hero. But it wasn't just that. Nolte's character is a hero. And, even though these characters are seen as heroes in the film, they have their weaknesses. Cheadle's characterization of Rusesabagina is incredible; extremely strong, yet extremely human and emotional. This film is an amazing biography of a real man who lived through a real tragedy.
I admit I know very little of the facts on the genocide in Rwanda- and this is why I am thankful for a film like "Hotel Rwanda" to open my eyes to it. If there were one thing I would change about this movie, it would be to add MORE violence. It almost seems to me that the director skipped over the violence a bit to keep a pg-13 rating. It leaves the film a little lighter than it probably should have been, considering the immense gravity of the situation portrayed. Did you know that over 1 million people died in the fighting in Rwanda in 1994? To get a fuller idea of that 1 million people, this film should have been even grittier and more painful.
But, that aside, "Hotel Rwanda" is among the most realistic, painful, and amazing films I have seen. It wrenches the viewer's heart, to think of the injustices going on in our world. I would list "Rwanda" among 'life-changing' films, such as "Schindler's List" and "The Passion of the Christ." See this movie, and remember that it is all true. 10/10