review

Rating: Null/10 (20 March 2005)

Hotel Rwanda like any film of its kind, dealing with such huge subject matter (the slaughter of millions of Rwanda's people) has chosen to focus in on one story and use the human angle to explore the larger picture. So we have the story of one hotel manager who by saving his own family inadvertently becomes touched by the plight of many and turns the hotel into a kind of make shift refuge camp for the thousands fleeing the onslaught. Based on a true story the film is a classic one mans struggle against the inevitable with death the only other option if he fails in his plight. The film is well directed, scored and acted (special nod to Don Cheadle and the British actress playing his wife) my only criticism is that by giving the film a 15 certificate it almost dumbs down on the slaughter, not that I want to see loads of violence, but the bit we do see is so tame it never really has that much of an impact on you. It felt like a slap to the face when it should have been a hammer to the head. Saying that the story is still a harrowing one and not an easy thing to watch especially when you know it was the west who left those people to die. This like Schindlers list, Saving Private Ryan etc should be shown in schools a bitter reminder of history that should never be repeated.