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A fisherman, a smuggler, and a syndicate of businessmen become entangled in a search for a priceless diamond which will change the fate of many.
Leonardo DiCaprio: Danny Archer
Djimon Hounsou: Solomon Vandy
Jennifer Connelly: Maddy Bowen
Blood Diamond(2006) is both great action entertainment and a searing indictment of the exploitation of the African continent even years after the imperial European powers left their colonial possessions to fend for themselves.
Africa; A continent wealthy in mineral resources with its peoples reduced to poverty at the mercy of tribal rivalries now armed with the automatic weapons of the former imperialists.
Powerful, political, and circumstances similar to this are still happening even to this day. Fine cast, superb story which is duly historic and modern, and also action packed and entertaining.
Shows how man can be so cruel to each other, and how greed can consume us of we let it. The bonds of Love, friendship and family are where the heart excels and Blood Diamond also shows us this.
Blood Diamond deserves to be watched by anyone whom will appreciate the intricate performances and bold, energetic storytelling. Not only is it an action thriller with amazing chases but there is importantly a message here about certain circumstances going on in a part of the world alot choose to ignore.
A powerful scene for me that Blood Diamond uses involves children being used as soldiers and militia; Showing how malleable and receptive like a newly acquired sponge soaking up brain washing propaganda form a militia out for blood, out to suck the land dry and promote despotism and fear among the civilians. Even having their own nicknames to promote their authority in a way that gives them power and strength.
Diredctor Edward Zwick whom also helmed the envisioned The Last Samurai has yet again crafted a tale that utilizes it's three stars and mixes entertainment with educational traits.
The music and score is vibrant, the locations breath taking. The diamond trade terrifying at the cost of innocent lives exploited.
Leonardo DiCaprio is on top form with an accent that is completely believable. Jennifer Connelly equally at home in her role with her peircing blue eyes. Djimon Hounsou really sells his anguish as a troubled father desperately trying to get his family back. Was also Quite taken with Arnold Vosloo's performance too.
By the title you guess that what people are after are diamonds which is a trade to be sure that has its international regulations. It also has people willing to skirt and ignore those regulations in pursuit of the almighty profit. The brokers be they in London, New York, or Amsterdam pay plenty of money under the table for the gems which then finance various revolutionary groups whom have this game going with the governments. They don't really want to take power as Leonardo DiCaprio explains to journalist Jennifer Connelly because then they'd have to govern the country. Better just to keep the revolution going, become payed off until the rulers become rich enough and just go into exile and the revolutionaries are then stuck with the power.
Blood Diamond was honoured with Oscar nominations for it's acting, for Sound, and for Film Editing. Sadly it did not win anything that year. It is also beyond belief it was not even considered for Best Picture.
Blood Diamond is a tale of a world older than our own, that you can watch again and again and still learn something from it. That has dozens of layers, deeply engrossing characters and a message in which the goodness left in humanity will sometimes out of rarity shine through.
''In America, it's bling bling. But out here it's bling bang.''
10/10
