Blood Diamond (2007)
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly
Director(s): Edward Zwick
Producer(s): Len Amato, Ben Waisbren, Kevin De La Noy
Writer(s): Charles Leavitt
Runtime: 150 Minutes approx.
Age Rating: 15
Plot - After finding and burying a
near price-less diamond, South
African farmer Solomon Vandy
(Hounsou) makes a deal with a
diamond smuggler (DiCaprio) if
he will help him get his family
back after they were captured by
rebels.
Review: By Ross Miller
Going into Blood Diamond after reading all the extremely positive reviews and seeing that it has been nominated for numerous Oscars; needless to say my expectations were very high indeed. And those expectations were met (just).
Leonardo DiCaprio as the central role, playing an aptly appointed diamond smuggler to coincide with the film's title, gives a stellar performance. Albeit with a very dodgy South African accent that, from what I've heard, is
decisively innacurate. But as I didn't actually know what a South
African accent actually sounds like (although I do now, sort of),
that factor didn't phase me in the slightest. He gives a
performance worthy of his recent Oscar nod (his second in the
same category I might add) but with strong competition from
the likes of Forest Whitaker, I am almost certain he won't win it.
He is supported outstandingly and possibly outshined by the
frequently fantastic Djimon Hounsou as a farmer trying to locate
his captured family. I think Hounsou might just grab the
supporting Oscar he has recently been nominated for. He had
me fully convinced about his terrible travesties throughout,
conveying pain, sadness and happiness whenever necessary. And finally we have Jennifer Connelly in a decisively smaller albeit more
difficult role.She adds that very much needed grace to
the film so that we have a break every nowand then from
all the pain and suffering.
As a whole the film is extremely well made. Perfectly
directed by Edward Zwick (The Last Samurai) who
maticulously captures the setting and atmosphere of
South Africa. He puts across the horror or rebel warfare,
shocking and informing us about the horrible things happening in that part of the world, while surprisingly still managing to maintain a high level of entertainment the whole way through. And although the film's runtime does push it (it lasts just over two and a half hours), the editing is too well done for you to care or barely even notice.
There is very little I could say wrong about this, a spectacular spectacle of a film with the exception of the aforementioned lengthy runtime. And sometimes the film is a very uncomfortable watch; containing moments that you can't bear to look at that retract from the films enjoyment only slightly. That aside let's just hope that it gets the attention and payoffs it fully deserves at the ever questionable Oscars.
Overview
Brilliantly acted, finely shot and well edited even with a very lenghty runtime. Some of it is very uncomfortable to watch but for your 150 Minutes plus time out at the cinema, I am positive you will feel thoroughly satisfied after your viewing.
