The film points to the west as a major reason as to why the diamond trade is such a problem. People like Archer trade weaponry to organizations like the RUF for diamonds. The diamonds are then smuggled to neighboring countries where they are then sold to jewelry companies from the west. The companies then save the diamonds so that the supply of diamonds in the world remains low, yet the prices and demand remain high. This process encourages a very egotistical and “me-first” environment in Sierra Leone in which everyone is encouraged to attain diamonds in whatever way possible. This results in the killing and kidnapping of innocent people. In the movie, Solomon is forced to work in the diamond fields for the RUF, finds a huge pink “blood” diamond, and luckily hides it. This sets into motion a long adventure in which Archer befriends Solomon in order for him to attain the diamond in exchange for finding Solomon's family. Solomon's story appears to be just one of many in which an innocent person's life is shattered as a result of the greed created by western company's desire to make money.

This aforementioned diamond smuggling process only encourages people to attain diamonds in whatever way possible. This includes the killing and kidnapping of innocent people and also the brainwashing of children to be used as maniacal soldiers. Before the RUF attacks Solomon's village, his son, Dia, is a smart boy who loves his family, but when he is taken and brainwashed by the RUF, he pretends to not recognize his own father and kills many innocent people. Also, the RUF consistently committed atrocities such as cutting of limbs of innocents, slaughtering thousands, and razing entire towns. The greed and desire of so many for riches through diamonds encouraged these acts and shattered the lives of many who simply loved their family and embraced a simple way of life.

The end of the film depicts Solomon, who successfully escapes Sierra Leone with the diamond and later his family, entering a court room to tell his story against the diamond company. This suggests that perhaps with educating the west about the illegal diamond trade in Africa, people will help to stop these actions by refusing to buy illegally smuggled diamonds. Personally, I feel this can happen, but more work is needed to educate the masses regarding these issues. I know that I will be much more cautious in buying any diamonds in the future after seeing this film. Ultimately, I enjoyed this film for both its action and its messages regarding the diamond trade in Africa. Also, I hope that others will view it and become more aware of the awful things happening there and someday perhaps put an end to it.

Di Caprio won best performance for leading actor, while his costar Hounsou, who also stared in one of the leading roles in the movie Amistad; 1997 as Cinque a slave on board the Amistad who participated in the rebellion against the crew of the ship, won best supporting actor for his role in the Blood Diamond. The film won several awards including best editing, best sound editing and best sound mixing. It was filmed on location in Cape Town in South Africa.

The movie portrays Archer in his role as it evolves through the movie as an uninterested third party and a smuggler of rough diamonds used by rebels to buy weapons to a caring friend of the downtrodden Solomon Vandy who has lost his home, his family and any means of a life he may have once had. They are aided on several occasions by Connelley's character the photo journalist Maddy Bowen, who eventually aids in getting Vandy out of the country, and to London where he is able to rejoin his family, expose the diamond smuggling operation, with the expert help of Maddy, and tell his story to the public. -JS

Running time: 2hr 18 mins.

Go see “Blood Diamond”

I often avoid gambling $9 on comedies and dramas in the theater because you can enjoy them on the small screen almost as well. This movie doesn't have the kind of car chase action you'd need a big screen to appreciate, but I'm going to recommend you see it before it leaves the theater because it's that good a film. There is about as much action as you can pack into a drama. There aren't big plot twists but the characters are good and well acted so it creates suspense. I liked them enough to want a Hollywood ending, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I wouldn't get one.

What about the “R” Rating?

Pretty graphic, though it could be worse. Several people warned me that it was graphic but it wasn't that bad. I think what they were referring to is that sense of horror we feel at the atrocities being committed. We do get the feeling that we were shown more than we were.

This movie also breaks a cardinal rule of mine about placing children in violent situations. Let's face it a shoot-out between cops and robbers is violent but not automatically horrifying. Showing children being shot or run down is always horrifying. This movie is trying to make an important point though, and they show only enough to make that point.

Jennifer Connelly is hot in this movie, but clothed, so no nudity. There is sexual innuendo, and strong language but the violence is really the big issue in this film.

What if I hate Leonardo DiCaprio?

Hey me too, but there are some films where he shows why everyone makes such a big deal out of him. This film would suck if the actors hadn't been believable. They were all good.

Larger Story

The backdrop of war, the struggle for riches as a manor escape/salvation, the helplessness of struggling alone make a difference, should all ring familiar to us. The father's struggle to save his son, physically and emotionally, is awesome.

Without trying to guilt us this movie succeeds in placing the typical American couple getting engaged in the place of its South African merc. I think it's good for us to look down at our ring finger and wonder if someone died for that stone.

However, the beautiful statements in this movie involve repentance and redemption. While I disagree with one statement in the film, “people are people, it's our actions that make us good or bad,” I love the line that follows. “One moment of love can justify a life time of brutality.” Love can turn anyone's life around in an instant.

Go see “Eragon?” If you’re 8 to 13!

This is kind of a “fun romp” movie. Most people looked satisfied walking out of the theater. “Lord of the Rings” set the bar so high for fantasy I doubt anything will feel great for a few more years. This has a few good starts in it to get your heart going but it lacks grittiness.

Other people may love this film, but two big things make me iffy about it. First, the dragon (Rachel Weis) was kinda like a prepubescent, tomboy-best-friend. Then she’s also kinda like a mom to the hero. It’s just not a real good character for me. (No, I’m not just picking on Rachel Weis—although she disserves it.)

Second, the sword play in the final battle is a let down. There’s one early scene when Jeremy Irons fights an evil creature that is pretty sweet. In the final battle magic and dragons shorten good honest fighting.

Larger Story

On the good side it’s a story about growing up and being initiated. On the down side it’s based on a book written by a 13 year old. From the plot, etc. he must be a prodigy, but he still lacks perspective on life’s events and it comes through in the movie. It succeeds in communicating what a teen would feel like when destiny thrusts the weight of the world on his shoulders, but the ending seem incongruous. He adjusts to it a little too easily.

There is a strange interplay between the movies hero and the female characters, including his dragon. I can’t put my finger on it. I feel like the character didn’t learn to be a man he just learned to act like one. It sends the wrong message. Not an evil message it just falls short.