Hotel Rwanda (8/10)
Hotel Rwanda, starring Don Cheadle, is a very powerful story about an event that many in the U.S. seemed to be in the dark about. In 1999, hundreds of thousands of people in Rwanda were killed just because of their racial heritage. I think we all heard of Rwanda and that the U.S. attempted to do something there, but I think most of us, at least my age (in high school), had no clue. So, that’s the basic history - a massive genocide - now for the movie.
During all of the genocide, Paul Rusesabagina (Cheadle), a manager of one of the finest hotels in Rwanda, decides to try and protect as many Tutsis as he can from the Hutu militia. He does this by keeping them in the hotel after all of the regular guests and staff have evacuated. His main purpose is to protect his wife, also a Tutsi, even though he is technically Hutu. He brings in as many favors as he can and uses his connections and intellect to keep them safe. Meanwhile, the U.N. forces, led by Nick Nolte, protect the hotel as long as they can, without interfering in the war.
This movie had an element that caused it to be very gripping and powerful, which was the element of fear. Even though I had never been in the same situation, I could totally relate to what the characters were feeling, and I was constantly wondering when they were going to be safe at last. That fear makes the viewer’s senses highten, which also makes for a better movie experience. But the only way that could be executed is by a great cast and crew. The moutpiece of the movie, Don Cheadle, acted in his best performance that I’ve seen yet. All of the extras and supporting cast were great as well, and really contributed to the movie. The DVD also had some pretty good extras that I recommend viewing, because you get to see the real Paul and more of the story behind the movie.
1 comment May 22nd, 2005