Rating of
3/4
Leo, Hounsou and Zwick make a great team.
jedisix - wrote on 11/01/07
I am sure that the fact that I was born in South Africa influenced my opinion of this film. Since many people have commented negatively on Leonardo DiCaprio's accent, lets start with that. I saw this movie with my Mom who lived in Africa for over 40 years, and we both agree that he did a pretty good job of it. I am not implying that there weren't flaws in it, at times his accent did slip a bit, but his inflection and his use of local colloquialisms (the way he enunciates the word 'brah' - brother - is right on the money), for the most part, were very convincing. After all the hype that surrounded Titanic I must admit I formed a slight disdain for young Mr. DiCaprio, but the more I see of him, the more I believe he is an excellent actor. This is not the type of film I would have associated as a vehicle for him, but, in my opinion, he does a very good job in it.
As for Djimon Hounsou; he is very good in this role. I have not seen him embrace a character this fully since his role in Gladiator, but I can't help feeling as though he is becoming typecast as the go-to guy when Denzel and Samuel Jackson aren't available. He is compelling and believable. I empathized with him and his situation. Not only that, but I wanted him to succeed in his goal.
Edward Zwick's direction is, as always, magnificent. He always brings a sense of context to his films, which affords the audience a glimpse at the bigger picture without wallowing in it. He gives his characters depth and humanity as well as a moral center without making them predictable.
The film itself tells a story of desperation, greed, love and morality. The graphic nature in which he portrays the local rebels is actually, if you can believe it, a bit restrained. Africa is a place of extreme brutality and these men, although mean and harsh, are not evil enough to be realistic. But I think he tempered their characters to make this film more palatable to a wider audience.
All in all, I really enjoyed this film and recommend it to anyone who wants a glimpse at the reality of the world's diamond trade or just be entertained in a dark and foreign world.
