Hotel Rwanda (2004) Reviews

Hotel Rwanda was one of those films I initially put off seeing for reasons I don't really know, but after seeing it that decision is one of those decisions that I've regretted as it turned out to be one of the better films I've seen in a while now. Hotel Rwanda is beautifully shot and the scenery is striking while still being authentic without being too clean. The story is always compelling and powerful, with plenty of gut-wrenching and poignant moments while never feeling preachy. The film is excellently directed and scripted too, while Sophie Okonedo, Joaquin Pheonix and particularly Don Cheadle give superb acting performances. Overall, a truly fantastic film. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Really good! Certainly a film that won't be easily forgotten! If dealing with a real history is very shocking and, unfortunately, still present, because many countries still suffer similar rebellions, as we see in the news about what happened recently in Egypt, and Libya is booming! "Why are people so cruel?" I would like to know too. But there are also people willing to help! I think this campaign is that the world needs, people have to react! Do what they can! I think the actors although aren't well known (apart from Nick Nolte) surprise! I was glad to see that Americans don't get to save everybody, as in several war movies! Very true what the reporter talks about the people watching the news and say "Oh, my God, how awful" and continue to dine with their families! Is what we do! But I think it might be different if anything awaken within us to show that we can indeed act. A film about violence, but also about hope, which I think everyone should see!

I already saw this movie but since it was a while ago and since I have it on DVD, I was quite eager to check it out again. Eventually, I thought it would be pretty good but it turned out to be even better than I expected. This movie is really heartbreaking but, in my opinion, like for example 'The Schindler's list', it should be compulsory viewing for all teenagers only in respect of its historical value. I mean, how many teenagers are actually aware of what happened? You could always argue that, right now, there is something similar happening somewhere else in the world... Anyway, I thought it was a spellbinding tragic story,  there was a pretty good cast (Don Cheadle, Nick Nolte, Sophie Okonedo, Joaquin Phoenix, Jean Reno) with, above all, an amazing perfomance by Don Cheadle. Until then Cheadle was one of the most underrated actors but thanks to his tremendous work on this movie, he finally got some recognition. Still, there were a couple of things that slightly bothered me when I was rewatching this flick. Indeed, if the directing by Terry George was usually quite effective, it was also sometimes rather heavy-handed. For example, you get to see a local explaining to a journalist the difference between a Hutu and Tutsi just to make sure the mainstream audience got a better grip on this tragedy but do you ever get to hear why the Nazis hated the Jews in a WWII drama? You also get to see a scene where the main character drives with his van on a road which is so misty that you can't see a thing but, then, within a few seconds, the heavy fog magically disappears to display hundreds of corpses. As a result, it is a spectacular but rather far-fetched scene. Anyway, to conclude, what took place in Rwanda was a real tragedy and this movie will remind you that we have all let these people down back then and if you don't mind being horrified and depressed while watching a movie, you should definitely check this one.

''There will be no rescue, no intervention for us. We can only save ourselves. Many of you know influential people abroad, you must call these people. You must tell them what will happen to us... say goodbye. But when you say goodbye, say it as if you are reaching through the phone and holding their hand. Let them know that if they let go of that hand, you will die. We must shame them into sending help.''

The true-life story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who housed over a thousand Tutsi refugees during their struggle against the Hutu militia in Rwanda.
A true story of a man who fought impossible odds to save everyone he could and created a place where hope survived.

Don Cheadle: Paul Rusesabagina

Nick Nolte: Colonel Oliver

Joaquin Phoenix: Jack Daglish

Hotel Rwanda(2004) in a way is the African version of genocide; On perhaps a similar wave-length as Schinder's List if thats a way of comparing or describing man's inhumanity to humanity.
Bold strokes and human conviction displayed in beautiful persecution, seriously spine tingling as propaganda driven Soldiers kill innocents, as a country is torn down the middle. Two different types: Hutu and Tutsi.
Rwanda 1994. The genocide of the Hutus and the Tutsis sadly commenced. The Hutu militia broke the peace of the country as they started killing any Tutsis in their sight as they called them cockroaches. This all relates and dates back to when Belgium took the country and sorted out the Rwandan people by shades of colour, nose size and this is briefly explained at the prologue of Hotel Rwanda.



The cinematography and editing are seamlessly achieved and shown in being unrivaled. The direction Terry George brings to the screen is a calm but strong feeling that sternly keeps you in the film as there is no place in the film without a small slight of suspense or tension. Even at some intervals of the story, the constant, building tension is relieved with some nice levity of jokes which balance matters out. Terry George and his partner Keir Pearson cleverly, beautifully bring their screenplay to life.
One aspect I loved about this film was during the most emotional scenes, the songs with the African children singers added to an already perfect atmosphere of sadness and emotional struggle. It was truly beautiful when these songs played accompanied by the actions of Paul and his wife at the same time.
It's amazing, gripping and heart crushing to take in.
Don Cheadle as Paul Rusesabagina displays such heroism, such compassion and shows that there are so many ways of fighting but none more important than battling using your heart and beliefs against the brute force of a Tyrant, of guns, of crimson eyed militia.

Frustratingly the Peacemakers cannot interfere, there in a sense no hope except in a man who wants to protect others, who is selfless.
Nick Nolte, Joaquin Phoenix Jean Reno all churn out knock out supporting actors performances elevating the film even more with it's starry casting.
Hotel Rwanda is not only an amazingly done drama but is also educational. It shows the real life events with all the details showing how France, England, Canada, and the U.N helped during the disaster and at other moments showing how powerless they were to help. Nick Nolte plays Colonel Oliver, a Canadian soldier from the U.N who is there at the beginning of the film to help with the peace agreement. Later on, him and other Canadian soldiers are relied to help Paul and the rest of the people during the wars. His character is roughly based on the Canadian war hero Romeo Dallaire who wrote his award winning book, Shaking Hands with the Devil. Nick Nolte's performance succeeds in being believable as he brings Colonel Oliver to life.

Massacres, Machetes...a blood soaked land, reporters desperately try to show the world, while we the audiences wish through gritted teeth and bated breath for something higher to stop the atrocities. Despotism, savagery that show the world is far from at peace.
Paul sees the bodies of the killing in one moment of the story and it is gut wrenching to witness, to see his complete breakdown as he whimpers, cries and despairs from the chaos ensuing around him, from witnessing such evils.
Another great scene for me when the truck transporting the Tutsi is attacked by angry hordes; Intense to say the least.
The real story here is Don Cheadle. With his absolutely extraordinary role, he carries the film on his shoulders. Definitely an astonishing, breathtaking performance, which is one of the best of the year. Don Cheadle's performance is so moving, emotional and so remarkable that he is at his absolute best ever.
An arguing Paul and a General talking about Scotland was also memorable.

Overall, Hotel Rwanda is a truly moving, stunning and inspirational masterpiece.
On a closing note, I must say that I strongly recommend that all should view this masterpiece as it educates everyone on the disasters that occurred back in ten years before in 1994. If you truly believe and have faith, the extraordinary can be accomplished and Paul Rusesabagina proved this to us.
Hotel Rwanda delivers a message that man will forever be repeating mistakes unless we eliminate hate, despair and ultimately we must learn from a blood soaked past.

I love this movie. Based on a true story, the movie succeeds in evoking all the right emotions in the viewer while accurately portraying one of the most horrific events in recent human history. To put it simply, Hotel Rwanda is the kind of movie that conveys its message effectively while at the same time providing the audience with an entertaining movie-going experience. The filmmaker's choice to put the focus on the family of Paul Rusesabagina and the human stories in the face of the atrocities makes it easy for the audience to relate to the story and the characters. The film becomes personal and emotionally involving as the audience go through the same fears, anxieties, hopes and sorrows the characters go through in the movie. The acting certainly helps. The performance of Don Cheadle and Sophie Okonedo who play the Rusesabaginas (try pronounce that) especially deserve props; they are very convincing as a loving couple trying to hold their family together among the chaos around them. To its credit, the movie never once falls into the trap of corny sentimentalism. There is even a touch of humour in the midst of danger and grief. The cynicism of a world that has failed to respond to the disaster has met its counterpart in the heart of Rwanda the unfaltering and hopeful human spirit. It shows humanity at its worst and its best. The movie has it all. It is educational, moving, intense, entertaining and eventually uplifting. It is cinéma at its best.

This is one of those films you really have to see. Its heartbreaking to see, I don't know exactly what happened in that time so I can't judge whether or not this movie was true to what actually happened. All I know is that this deserved the Academy Award nominations, it is truly amazing and Don Cheadle was perfect for his character. He put so much passion into this movie, I can't imagine anyone else as that role.

Great film but when it comes to the genocide in Rwanda I think Sometimes in April (not shown in Australia as a telly movie but as a movie) was actually more hard hitting then this one. Mainly because you got to see more of a portrayal of the atrocities and massacres where as this, to me, felt like it was more sheltered. Yes I'm aware that this was a true story but I don't think enough of the horror was portrayed. Although it could be good for people who want to watch something a long this line but are too sensitive to handle how bad it actually was.

See more at my blog - irregularexpressions.wordpress.com/2006/07/13/two-horrendous-movies/