Blood Diamond is nominated for 5 Oscars and surprised me as a truly outstanding film. Technically it was very well executed and the actors definitely delivered some of the best performances of the year.
Essentially this film is both an action film and a human drama about the chaos and terror that conflict diamonds cause in Africa. It’s hard to decide what is more heart wrenching; the thousands of citizens killed or injured by the rebels, or the thousands of young boys that are turned into violent soldiers before they reach the age of 10. Its easy to decide what is most disgusting however when we have to come to terms with rich brokers in London that purchase these conflict diamonds…oh, and the consumers that buy them. This film definitely made me rethink the “beauty” of a rock.
Both Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Hounsou are incredible and deserve their acting nominations. I will be the first to admit that DiCaprio’s accent grated on me during the trailers and essentially made me avoid this movie. After hearing that it was actually a very accurate and excellent South African accent, and that the movie was well worth seeing, I decided to grin and bear it. DiCaprio plays this role so well and maintains the accent so consistently that you stop hearing it and see nothing more than his character, Danny Archer. Hounsou is equally impressive at bringing to life an incredibly haunting and emotional character.
The film is also up against some tough competition for Achievement in Film Editing, Sound Editing, and Sound Mixing. While I think it definitely deserves the nomination as a very well produced film, I would not say it’s a lock in any of these categories.
This is a very well developed drama that takes the time to complete the entire story. DiCaprio’s character dies at the end a changed man, adding his own blood to the dirt in Africa. Hounsou is reunited with his entire family, including his young son that was brainwashed by the violent rebel army. Jennifer Connely’s character (an idealistic journalist) exposes the large corporation that purchases these conflict diamonds and how they control the market, initiating something called the Kimberly Process that helps stem the trade of these diamonds.
This is an interesting and thoughtful movie that was beautifully made and acted. Scenes of horrible violence are mixed with the stunning landscape of Africa, making the condition of the country seem so real and horribly tragic. I definitely recommend it and give it 4 out of 5.
