Blood Diamond (Edward Zwick, 2006)

Country Origin: USA

The current situation in Africa is one of blatant desperation that the people are fighting on all fronts. Aside from the AIDS epidemic, genocide, and famine that stretch across the continent, Zwick has found yet another atrocity taking place in Africa to present to the ignorant developed world. Zwick made a marvelous choice in deciding to cast Leonardo DiCaprio as his leading man in this emotional and action packed film.

DiCaprio plays the role of Danny Archer, a young deceitful diamond smuggler who thirsts endlessly at the prospect of making money from the diamonds of Africa, despite the cost at which they are being mined. The film introduces Solomon Vandy, played wonderfully by Djimon Hounsou, who after being separated from his wife and daughter and having his son kidnapped by guerrilla militants, has discovered the ultimate prize, a large diamond. It is in this diamond that Archer (DiCaprio) and Solomon (Hounsou) are united in a quest that takes the audience through the many inhuman aspects of African life and shows us how the developed countries blindly accept exported African diamonds that cost the hands and blood, literally, of innocent peoples lives.

This story however, would not be complete if it did not attain some sort of love plot to it, and so Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connelly), a fearless and adventurous reporter meets Archer. By the end of the film, the combination of Solomon's love and determination, accompanied by Maddy's affection, result in a part of Archer that the movie hides for so long, the compassionate side.

This movie will make you sad, angry, frustrated, and shocked, all while keeping you on your toes with frequent action packed scenes and new discoveries. Oh, and I thought DiCaprio's African accent was Australian at first but it did seem to sound better as the movie went on!