Blood Diamond

"Then I look around and I realise... God left this place a long time ago". After witnessing the brutal lengths to which man will go to satiate his greed, you'll be inclined to agree with South African smuggler Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio). Set during the Sierra Leone civil war of the 1990's, Blood Diamond is both a gripping action adventure, and unflinching look at the realities of the diamond trade.

A rare "pink" diamond buried in the Sierra Leone wilderness, is responsible for drawing the lives of three very different people together. Local fisherman Solomon Vandy (Dijmon Hounsou), separated from his family during a savage attack on his village by the RUF, knows the diamond's location but cares only for finding his family. Archer, a South African smuggler and ex-soldier, determined to buy his way out of the god forsaken continent by finding the hidden gem. Finally Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connelly), an American reporter who wants to expose the hypocrisy and complicity of a western diamond company secretly trading in conflict diamonds.

Despite a straightforward action adventure plot, Blood Diamond thankfully transcends the typical Hollywood take on world history. Director Edward Zwick uses broad strokes to explore the many aspects surrounding the exploitation of a country and it's people. The brutality of RUF militia is shown in graphic and shocking detail. Chief amongst these images are those of child soldiers, cruelly taken from their families, drugged, and forced to kill in the name of liberating the people. He also crafts a memorably hellish cinematic landscape, in the shape of a burning war torn capital city in the aftermath of a fierce clash between RUF and government troops.

Performances from everyone are excellent, with Hounsou getting the lion's share of the emotionally charged dialogue as he struggles to reunite his family. Connelly gives a convincing turn as the reporter sick of Western apathy, desperate to expose the blood on the diamond industry's hands. But I have to save the greatest praise for DiCaprio's stunningly good portrayal of Archer. A bit of bastard at first, he brings much needed depth to what could so easily have been a cliched role. The authentic accent and colloquialisms also go a long way to strengthening the realism of the character. Between this and The Departed, I'm a convert to his considerable acting talent.

Given that the movie does an excellent job in exploring it's complex subject matter, the ending feels far too neat and tidy. It is in keeping with the movies tone so doesn't conspire to dull the impact of the previous two hours, but some may still find it a little jarring. Regardless, you will walk out feeling entertained and educated; a rare combination for a movie from Hollywood.

Blood Diamond is a thought provoking thriller, beautifully filmed, that doesn't shy from portraying the brutal consequences of man's greed.