![]() ![]() Hounsou is a fisherman who gets drawn into the civil war raging around him and discovers a pink diamond that could save - or destroy - both he and his family. DiCaprio is excellent as a Rhodesian (HIS description) mercenary and arms dealer working in Sierra Leone. This is a film that, while concerned with the political situation in Africa, focuses more on how the obsessive search for a large, rare pink diamond consumes those who get too close to it. The political agenda of the film isn't as cloyingly bombastic as I was afraid it might be. My interest here was to see how characters would respond to adversity and a terrible, horrifyingly dark situation. The film makes a compelling case but I don't base my political and economic decisions on films that I watch. They suggest that the conflict diamond situation has been exaggerated and completely distorted. ![]() ![]() Some of the early reviews that I read painted 'Blood Diamond' as hysterical left-winger cause-head paradise. With his performances in 'The Departed' and now 'Blood Diamond,' I think I need to reappraise my own biases against him. Secondly, although I've had little patience for him before, Leonardo DiCaprio has really impressed me this year. Djimon Hounsou is nothing short of incredible and I'd be astonished if he isn't considered at Oscar time. ![]() Those things said, the positives are much greater and this film showcased two towering performances. The more natural ending is on the mountainside - you'll know what I mean when you see it. The ending that they chose extends the film too far, seems forced and is tacked on. Since there is very little in the negative column, let me disperse with it first: 'Blood Diamond' might fairly be accused of 'bleeding heart syndrome' (more on that in a bit), has a few minor pacing issues and seems unsure with how to end. ![]()
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