Blood Diamond

"Blood Diamond" is one of those movies that has outstanding performances, supported by great action, but comes off feeling like a two hour lecture. It will definitely make you think twice before buying your next diamond.

Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Danny Archer, a South African who makes his money off of getting conflict diamonds out of African and into the hands of London diamond companies. Conflict diamonds are those diamonds that are mined by workers in Africa kept in near-slavery like conditions. Civil wars are rampant throughout countries where both the government and the rebels are looking for the most profit from these diamonds. The bloodshed and brutality is horrible, and the death toll beyond comprehension. It's DiCaprio's job to maintain a balance between both groups and make a profit without getting himself killed.

Enter Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou), an African male who is forcibly removed from his family while his son is brainwashed to think like the rebel forces. He becomes one of the many child warriors. While mining for diamonds, Vandy comes across a sizable pink diamond. He is well aware of the value of such an item, knowing this could be the ticket to reuniting with his family and getting them out of Africa. At the same time, Archer learns of Vandy's find and knows just how much he could make for himself as well. Archer eventually uses Vandy to find the diamond, telling him it's to free his family while it's really to get Archer a profit. Along the way Danny meets up with a reporter (Jennifer Connelly) who is wanting to tell the true story of the corrupt diamond trade. She ends up helping both men.

For every great action scene, there is another lecture on just how messed up some African countries are because of diamonds. Also, the love interest between DiCaprio and Connelly is never fully realized, to the extent that I'm not even certain what the point of even introducing it was. However, every single performance is excellent. DiCaprio truly turns in one of his best performances of the year, which is saying a lot after his "Departed" role. If any Oscar award comes out of "Blood Diamond" it is certain to be for Hounsou. I am not exaggerating by saying this is the performance of the year. His pain and anguish of losing his family, of losing his son both physically and mentally, while also mourning for the state of his country is deep and palpable.

"Blood Diamond" will draw you in, but is not for the faint of heart with its violence. While it has Oscar-nomination potential, it's not one that I would run out to see again. The performances save the grade, and that's why I give it a B.

"Blood Diamond" is rated R with a running time of 138 minutes.