blood diamond
The season is upon us. Christmas? NFL? Hockey? Fuck all that. We’re talking film season. The Globe nominations are out and everything is in high gear until the “superbowl” on the 25th of February. Let the games begin…
Leo’s up for best actor in two different films at the globes. intriguing. sort of thought they’d have more performances to choose from. But in reality his performance in both films << Departed and this one >> is pretty impressive. He shouldn’t win for his performance here. The accent, while it could have been worse, was inconsistent and distracting.
The acting is decent, but even with Leo pulling his weight it’s Hounsou who steals the show. The guy’s incredible. DiCaprio and Connelly are just along for the ride in comparison. Connelly is her typical self << gorgeous with too-subtle emoting >>, but it doesn’t take away from the film << and those eyes... phew >>. The directing doesn’t shine through unless you’re watching for pace where Zwick creates more intensity with short, high-movement shots when necessary. The cinematography could have been much better considering the location. I would expect more long shots as they move through the landscape.
The story is absolutely epic. Topical in a time of gift-giving, but also poignant and intense, it literally pulls you in. The struggles and obstacles in the way of Vandy are expertly placed through the film. Pace is masterful and never lets up. The subplot between Archer and Bowen is just enough to let up on the gas between strong action sequences.
The intensity is palpable. Loyalty and betrayal knit through the characters’ interactions. The film became slightly preachy and threatened to go Disney toward the end, but I almost felt as though it had earned it. This wasn’t the exposé i had hoped for, but it does shed some light on the corruption that is the entire diamond industry. This is a top-notch film all around.
*****