Hotel Rwanda ****
Cast: Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo, Nick Nolte, Joaquin Phoenix
Director: Terry George
Running Length: 1:50
MPAA Classification: PG-13
The country of Rwanda was having some serious problems in 1994. The members of the Tutsi tribe in the country were being killed by the Hutu tribe. In fact, it was more of a massacre (the death toll was around a million), and the world looked on and did nothing.
One man did though. His name was Paul Rusesabagina (Cheadle). Paul was a hotel manager, of all things. He sheltered 1,200 member of the Tutsi tribe in his hotel, despite being a member of the Hutu tribe. His tribal status, along with knowing how to buy off the right people and manipulate hotel registries is what allowed him to do this good deed. His main focus was his family, as his wife was Tutsi, and his kids mixed. But he quickly came to realize that he could make a difference, even if it was small, in this awful conflict. Calling in favors, Rusesabagina was able to get these refugees to safety with the help of the United Nations.
Don Cheadle has been giving solid performances in smaller roles for years now, establishing himself as a great actor. "Hotel Rwanda" is his chance to really break through. And break trough he does. The excellence of this movie is because of him. He brings tru humanity to a man who does not want to be in the position that he is in. His struggle to help more than his family is difficult, and Cheadle conveys the difficulty with the grace of a great actor. He should be nominated for an Oscar, and if he is not, it would be a great shame.
The movie as a whole is disturbing. The lack of assistance from the global community baffles the mind. And the fact that one man could take his "safe" life in his own hands to save as many as he could is inspiring. "Hotel Rwanda" is about the choices we make as individuals and as countries to do what is right. This is an excellent film that should be seen by all. It will not be necessarily enjoyed, but it should be experienced.
4 days ago
1 comment:
hotel rwanda is not for the faint of heart. i am proud to be an american, but this movie made me examine the beliefs and true motivations behind our democracy. this doesn't give anything away in the movie, but don't read on if you're afraid it might. there is one scene where journalists have captured some of the slaughter occuring in rwanda -- men, women & children being murdered with machetes because another country set up a caste system among the natives. cheadle's character sees the footage and thanks the journalists for recording what happened "for now the west will come and save us." cheadle's character is as naive as i am. surely, after witnessing such horrendous acts of violence, the world will come to rwanda's aid. one of the journalists corrects cheadle's character and, with shame, tells him that what they've done will make no difference - that people will see the footage and go back to eating their dinners. and he is right. as the movie progressed, i squirmed in my chair - ashamed to be an american for the first time in my life. i watched on the screen as (remember - this is a true story) americans did come into rwanda - but only to save their own citizens and then quickly leave everyone else behind to face certain death. it makes you wonder why our governement chooses to come to the aid of certain countries in the name of freedom and democracy, while others are left behind. pointedly, what happened in rwanda is now currently happening in the congo. i can only wonder if we will ignore what is happening there as well. i don't mean to get on a soapbox, but this movie does make you think about many things - and it is an experience i don't think anyone can easily walk away from. btw, mike, there are lots of typos in this post too =P
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