Blood Diamond
During the civil war and chaos in 1990’s Sierra Leone, Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio) – a South African mercenary – and Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou) – a Mende fisherman, become joined in a common quest to recover a rare pink diamond that can transform their lives.
While in prison for smuggling, Archer learns that Solomon – who was taken from his family and forced to work in the diamond fields – has found and hidden the extraordinary rough stone. With the help of Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connelly), an American journalist whose idealism is tempered by a deepening connection with Archer, the two men embark on a trek through rebel territory, a journey that could save Solomon’s family and give Archer the second chance he thought he would never have.
Member Reviews
great - basilbenz
Leonardo DiCaprio has become one of the premiere American actors. With a set of natural instincts that lends a non-showy, believable quality to all of his performances, versatility, and movie star size charisma that fills up the screen and emotionally hooks the viewer into his character and story, it is hard to think of another male American actor (with the exception of Johnny Depp) who is consistently giving an audience its money worth; these two gentleman have taken the reins from Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, as those two Oscar-winning future legends of the silver screen gracefully age into more mature roles.
In Blood Diamond, it is Mr. DiCaprio's performance that raises this film above it's standard Hollywood fare of a script (although it is a solid script) into something memorable. His performance here as an opportunistic diamond smuggler equals that of the one he gave earlier in the fall as "Billy Costigan" in The Departed, although the two characters couldn't be more different from each other. It may be his best performance yet, and in terms of sheer charisma and memorability it certainly rivals his mega-star making performance as "Jack Dawson" in Titanic.
I liked Blood Diamond a great deal, but do not think it is a great film. A good movie? Yes. Very mainstream and formulaic, but it is raised up quite a bit by DiCaprio's character and his terrific realization of it. If I had read this script beforehand, I never would have thought of Leo for this role- possibly George Clooney or some other star known for "roguish charm," but not Leo. But now, having seen it, I can't imagine anybody else as "Danny Archer;" it is a fully realized, winning performance.
Mr. Hounsou was wonderful as well, and I liked the chemistry between the two men in their scenes together. He was able to make the audience feel the gamut of emotions his character experiences during the course of the movie- pride and hope, fear, outrage, resignation, mistrust, desperationMoving, Haunting, and Hard to Ignore... - anwallette
This movie grabs you from the very beginning.....it makes you wondering what kind of turmoil the "pretty stones" caught in their countries of origin.
Leonardo and Dijumon do a phenomenal job in this movie. They suck you into their world and do not let you leave. It shows haunting images of a country completely homeless by war and American buyers. It also paints an accurate picture of the child soliders and how they are being brainwashed.
Overall a movie that stays with you long after the movie is over....How much does your wedding ring really cost? - WheelsnReels
“Blood Diamond” is Hollywood’s interpretation of a behind the scenes look at the diamond mining industry. The film concentrates on the extreme conditions the mineworkers must endure so those with more political clout may profit.
What makes “Blood Diamond” such a good movie is that it is a realistic portrayal of all the factors and dangers involved. While at times, the movie is brutally violent and difficult to watch it is factually accurate. Currently the conservative estimate of child soldier’s id around 200,000, other estimates go much higher.
Overall a good action movie with context, not just a reason for “Hollywood” to shoot some guns and blow up some stuff. This is not a feel good movie at all, if nothing else “Blood Diamond” makes me think of the consequences of my own actions and how they may be further reaching than I know.
WheelsnReels
Member Reviews
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great - basilbenz
Leonardo DiCaprio has become one of the premiere American actors. With a set of natural instincts that lends a non-showy, believable quality to all of his performances, versatility, and movie star size charisma that fills up the screen and emotionally hooks ...Moving, Haunting, and Hard to Ignore... - anwallette
This movie grabs you from the very beginning.....it makes you wondering what kind of turmoil the "pretty stones" caught in their countries of origin.
Leonardo and Dijumon do a phenomenal job in this movie. They suck you into their world and do not ...How much does your wedding ring really cost? - WheelsnReels
“Blood Diamond” is Hollywood’s interpretation of a behind the scenes look at the diamond mining industry. The film concentrates on the extreme conditions the mineworkers must endure so those with more political clout may profit.
What makes “Blood ...