Harrowing

Rating: 10/10 (20 July 2006)

Drawing similarities to Spielberg's Schindler's List, Hotel Rwanda tells the true story of a hotel manager (Don Cheadle in a riveting performance) who saves the lives of hundreds of Tutsi refugees from genocide at the hands of the Hutus. This harrowing picture of the evils and triumphs of the human heart portrays both the insanity and the self-sacrifice that mankind is capable of mustering. Directed by Terry George, the film brings to light an event that most people either ignored or forgot about. With nearly one million murdered, the brutal conflicts between tribes in Africa are a warning against the idea of anarchy as a viable alternative to current government.
The performances: Cheadle's strength is at the heart of his character in Hotel Rwanda, a film that leaves little room for interpretation. His Paul is a man whose courage and fortitude amidst unspeakable violence communicates a dignity and humanity that presents an effective counterpoint to man's propensity to do evil. This is a moving, even terrifying, performance from a consummate character actor that finally has the chance to shine on his own. His versatility as an actor has allowed him to give one of the most harrowing efforts of the year. Sophie Okonedo was little known outside Hollywood insiders, but she makes a huge splash here as Don Cheadle's emotionally distraught wife during the Rwandan genocide. Amazingly, she steals most scenes she's in, so visceral and convincing is her work opposite Cheadle. Her cries of desperation are so harrowing that it startles the audience several times throughout the disturbing film. During the final sequences, when she is reunited with loved ones, the power of her earlier work is compounded, registering with viewers in a powerful way. This is a remarkable performance.