“Hotel Rwanda”
Sometimes in America the closest you can get to catastrophe comes through watching a movie. Many people are changed by the events that happen before their eyes on the silver screen. After watching a movie like “Hotel Rwanda” one can hardly believe that it was based on the true story of a genuine hero.
Nearly 13 years ago the events that took place in Darfur would hardly be thought of as a subject for an Oscar nominated Hollywood movie. With a mass genocide wiping out close to a million of its people in just three months, catastrophe seemed to be unstoppable by any means. In the movie “Hotel Rwanda”, this story reaches the minds and hearts of any compassionate human being on an overpowering level.
Don Cheadle plays the great hero Paul Rusesabagina who is faced with the responsibility of keeping as many of his people alive as possible. A professional and intelligent man, Rusesabagina bribes the rebels with beer and money until it all runs out. These goods by him and his refugees a little time, but it seems that time keeps running out. Every time you think that he has found a way to move his people to safety or get help from officials, the rebels show up killing more and more innocent people.
With an all-star cast including Don Cheadle, Nick Nolte (Jean Jacques), Sophie Okonedo (Tatiana Rusesagagina) and Joaquin Phoenix (Jack Daglish), the movie delivers a strong realistic message of an unfortunate display of the human race. Nolte plays a United Nations official who is completely overwhelmed by the rage of the rebel army. Phoenix plays a journalist who abandons the hotel and its people to flee the country for his own safety.
Overall the film is a terrifying, but genuine view of a miserable reality. As the massacre moves on and the people become more helpless, the viewer may become very uncomfortable with the attention and efforts that this situation badly deserves but does not receive. One may not be able to comprehend that a mass genocide is presently occurring in Darfur without the necessary aid that it needs for help and change. “Hotel Rwanda” is a must see not only because it delivers a message that deserves serious attention but it also provides great performances and a film that makes you think.
- Story- A
- Acting- A+
- Visuals- A
- Originality/ Innovation- A
- Enjoyability- N/A (Too sensitive to call enjoyable)
- Overall- A
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