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Blood Diamond Review

by Leora Israel Zellman on February 23rd, 2007

I didn’t actually see Blood Diamond, but my husband was nice enough to write up this short review of the movie:

Leonardo DiCaprio finally shows his real prowess as an actor in this movie playing a Rhodesian diamond trader and former mercenary. While his on-screen chemistry with co-star Jennifer Connelly was nothing too impressive, he and Dijmon Hounsou, nominated himself for Best Support Actor, bring home the stunning seriousness and tragedy that is the African diamond trade. Both without a doubt deserve Oscars in their respective categories. This movie is certainly a must-see for everyone, particularly those who are obsessed with bling and don’t think about where that fantasy diamond ring really comes from. Set in Sierra Leone in the 1990s when the country was submerged in civil war and internal collapse, the movie powerfully conveys the brutality of rebel tactics, with particularly gruesome footage of limbs being hacked off to prevent voting, rape, and the training of child soldiers. I haven’t left a movie this shaken since seeing Schindler’s List. I’m very surprised and disappointed that this film was not nominated for Best Picture. It stands out as the most powerful and important movie of the last year. I do have my fair share of criticisms of the movie, particularly its loose account of progression of the civil war as well as the movie’s "happy ending" which demonstrates more than anything the western-centric bias of the film makers. Without giving away too much more, however, I strongly recommend and encourage everyone of some maturity to see this film. However, leave your kids at home. They’re not ready for this yet.

Tags: oscar nomination, blood diamond, sierra leone, leonardo dicaprio, dijmon hounsou, diamond trade

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