Set against the backdrop of civil war and chaos in 1990's Sierra Leone, "Blood Diamond" is the story of Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio), a South African mercenary, and Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou), a Mende fisherman. Both men are different, but their fates become joined in a common quest to recover a rare pink diamond that can transform their lives.
While in prison for smuggling, Archer learns that Solomon has found and hidden the extraordinary rough stone. With the help of Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connelly), an American journalist, the two men embark on a trek through rebel territory. It is a journey that could save Solomon's family and give Archer the second chance he thought he would never have.
The trio is unusually co-dependent; Maddy needs a story yet yearns to comfort the emotionally vulnerable Archer, Archer wants to recover the valuable diamond to salvage his life, and Vandy desperately needs the stone as a means to recover his son, who has been forced into the role of child-soldier by rebel forces. Highly-charged politics are funneled into personal exploits, designed for maximum entertainment. Battle sequences are extreme yet impressive.
The performances are excellent. DiCaprio works the triangle with ease, male-bonding with Vandy and love-connecting with Maddy. Hounsou is excellent, exuding a fierce intensity and pride. The screenplay also does a good job pointing out the moral culpability of rich and powerful diamond companies that make a profit on the labors of poor Africans.
The Blood Diamond is an important movie that carries a vital message for all of us. |
