Blood Diamond (2006) R - 4½ Stars

What a great movie, almost as good as Hotel Rwanda. The acting is top notch, the story line outstanding and I really got into all of the characters. Set in Africa, in the 1990's, Sierra Leone is in the midst of a bloody civil war. When one of the slave workers discovers a pink stone of great magnitude, he attempts stealing it to bring financial wealth to his family. He will find out how much blood must be spilled for the worth of that diamond. Getting a visual of the brutality of the diamonds minds in Africa, and the abuse of their slave workers, you may never look at diamonds the same way again.

Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou) a Mende fisherman, is taken from his home and forced to work as a slave in the diamond minds. The men are constantly watched to make sure no one is skimming a rock for themselves. Solomon discovers a huge pink stone and finds a way to get it out of the pit with no one noticing. He can only dream of how his life would be for the value of this rock. While he walks away to relieve himself, he finds a place to stash the stone for later retrieval.

While hiding the stone, the workers are raided and rounded up and thrown behind bars. In jail, a boisterous worker proclaims that he's seen Solomon take a huge diamond from the mining fields. In front of the other workers, Solomon squirms insisting he has no idea what this man speaks of. But the seed has now been planted in every one's mind, and they all do their share keeping an open eye.

Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio) a mercenary, also in jail, gets wind that Solomon may have a blood diamond. Danny specialises in these diamonds and knows there's big money to be made in a stone of this quality. Solomon confides in Danny and the two agree to get the diamond and share the bounty of wealth. American journalist Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connelly) who's romantically involved with Danny, will assist them in recovering the treasure.

As they embark on a trek through rebel territory, Solomon will almost give them away when he discovers his son drugged, trained as a rebel and guarding the mine. In the midst of civil unrest and everything at stake, the three must act quickly or never get out alive.

Awards include:

2006 - Blood Diamond - Las Vegas Film Critics Association - Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
2006 - Blood Diamond - National Board of Review - Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Warner Bros Pictures
Director: Edward Zwick
Writers: Edward Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz, Charles Leavitt
Producers: Paula Weinstein, Graham King, Gillian Gorfil

I viewed 3/07