(2006, 138 min) Helmed by Edward Zwick (The Last Samurai, Glory), Blood Diamond showcases the maturing talent of Leonardo DiCaprio. Supported by Djimon Hounsou and Jennifer Connelly, this action, political adventure is set in Sierra Leone in 1999. Solomon (Hounsou), a fisherman who loses his family and village to rebels, and Danny Archer (DiCaprio), a Rhodesian who smuggles diamonds out to Liberia, join forces with Maddy Bowen (Connelly), a journalist trying to get the inside story on smuggling and diamond cartels. Maddy wants a story, Archer wants a piece of one of the largest pink diamonds ever found by Solomon, who only wants his family reunited.
The backdrop to the journey of the three is civil war between rebels and government troops. At the heart, the motivating factor is a commodity. At first, it was ivory, then oil and gold. In this story, diamonds are the basis and greed is the shadow cast over the troubled continent of Africa.
The "conflict diamonds" cause young boys to turn into killing machines, destroying innocent lives in their villages and transforming the beautiful countryside and streams into bloody stains and burning forests.
Even more of a standout than Dicaprio is Hounsou. His screen presence is totally electrifying in every scene he is in. He deserves the supporting actor nominations and awards from various critical societies. The second greatest asset is the location photography of veteran Eduardo Serro. Every scene is lovingly shot, well aware of its function as epic, visual language. Connelly, although a peripheral character, represents the conflict/resolution structure of the plot. Her appearance in the coda of the film adds an emotionally touching note that is welcome. Blood Diamond is a satisfying entertainment cast in the old-school style of David Lean's Bridge on the River Kwai.
© TLA Entertainment Group
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