Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Performances give "Diamond" its luster, 27 Jun 2007
A rare and sizable diamond is found by a worker in a warlord's diamond mine. This adds even more turbulence to an already volatile situation as different forces attempt to seize the 'blood diamond.'
In a certain sense I found this film to comparable to 'Babel' - it tells s story that reveals an uncomfortable truth about our world, but remains grounded and personal with its perspective. Focusing of a few principle characters - with each actor/actress giving a solid performance - the film gives a really up-close look at a world fueled by greed and filled with violence. There is something rotten in the states of Africa and the 'blood diamond' of the title is practically a classic McGuffin - totally incidental to what is going on. But if people can get so worked up over just one diamond it gives you an idea about why the situation there is what it is - and just how expensive diamonds really are.
Leonrado DiCaprio done an excellent job in his role-no exaggeration. He excels as the aggressive and also at times sensitive smuggler. 2006 has been exceptional year for him with two powerhouse roles - the other being "The Departed" - and his career should be highly respected for that. Djimon Honsou is one of my favorite actors, so, naturally, I liked his work in this. But it isn't that I simply "liked" his work in this--he gave THE best performance in the movie. He handles the role of Solomon Vandy as if he IS Solomon- a truly moving character. I think this is Jennifer Connelly's second best performance in her career (the first being Requiem For A Dream). She plays Matty Bowen, journalist for Vital Affairs magazine. She shows how great an actress she can actually be, but it will never top her Requiem acting.
As Richard Roeper stated: "Edward Zwick is the master of politically correct thrillers". Well, I wholeheartedly agree with him. "Glory," "The Last Samaurai," and "The Siege" were spectacular and suspenseful pictures with great acting, and I'm going to chalk this up onto that list as well. There are some great action set pieces that had me on the edge of my seat. But Zwick and cinematographer Eduardo Serra make it look easy. "Blood Diamond" is violent, gritty, suspenseful, poignant, and long which is why it is worth your time.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent., 13 Jan 2009
This is a meaty and compelling film set in the heat and conflict of war-torn Sierra Leone at the turn of the last century. Africa's problems are graphically displayed here - where there's a commodity, be it gold, cobalt, copper or in this case, diamonds there is bloodshed. The diamond trail leads from the slave gangs of the brutal Revolutionary United Front to the vaults of respectable diamond dealers of London who stockpile the excess gems in order to maintain artificially high prices. These dealers are careful not to be seen buying "blood diamonds" or "conflict stones" from the Sierra Leone but do so from the neighbouring Liberia into which they are smuggled.
The story centres on Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou) a fisherman whose village is raided by the RUF. Many are killed and families dispersed in the panic. Solomon's own son is given an AK47 as big as himself and brainwashed into becoming a boy soldier while his wife and other children fortunately make their way to a refugee camp. Forced to work in the diamond mines, he discovers a huge gem, which he manages to conceal during a shoot-out with government forces.
A rock of that size does not stay secret for long and he soon finds himself thrown together with "Rhodesian" mercenary cum diamond smuggler Danny Archer (DiCaprio) and American journalist Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connolly), each with very different agendas (escape money, a story) and methods. They have to fight for their lives, his family and the diamond in an epic story that is both moving and brutal. The backdrop of Africa is spectacular but the soil is red, locals say from the rivers of blood that flow through the country.
DiCaprio and Hounsou give towering performances, Hounsou as the humble family man who only wants the best for his family, DiCaprio finally comes of age and delivers as the sleazy and violent Archer. The contrast and chemistry between the two is excellent and the opposites come together in an emotional finale.
Not for the squeamish, this film informs without preaching but tells a great story so well that makes it unmissable in my opinion. I'm just gutted I didn't see it on the big screen.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Blood Diamond 2 Disc Edition, 25 Mar 2008
'Blood Diamond' is one of DiCaprios better films and one that leaves you thinking about the issues it explores long after the credits have rolled. All the actors play their roles well and the locations make for some stunning scenery. The storyline is pretty shocking at times and it feels like it is half action movie and half political commentary. The issues around blood diamonds are explained pretty well and it'll make you think twice about those innocuous sparkly stones that we see everywhere. As other reviewers have noted, the film is excellent, but the sanitised, saccharine Hollywood ending spoils what is a powerful film, with an important message. Overall though, I'd say this film is well worth watching, it will keep you engaged the whole way through and is well shot and acted. A directors cut without the last five minutes would be great!
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