The movie doesn't know when to quit.
Blood Diamond (2006)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:204
Fresh:127
Rotten:77
Average Rating:6.3/10
Consensus: Blood Diamond overcomes poor storytelling with its biting commentary and fine performances.
Theatrical Release:26-01-2007
Synopsis: Set against the backdrop of the chaos and civil war that enveloped 1990s Sierra Leone, "Blood Diamond" is the story of Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio), an ex-mercenary from Zimbabwe, and Solomon... Set against the backdrop of the chaos and civil war that enveloped 1990s Sierra Leone, "Blood Diamond" is the story of Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio), an ex-mercenary from Zimbabwe, and Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou), a Mende fisherman. Both men are African, but their histories and their circumstances are as different as any can be until their fates become joined in a common quest to recover a rare pink diamond, the kind of stone that can transform a life…or end it. Solomon, who has been taken from his family and forced to work in the diamond fields, finds the extraordinary gem and hides it at great risk, knowing if he is discovered, he will be killed instantly. But he also knows the diamond could not only provide the means to save his wife and daughters from a life as refugees but also help rescue his son, Dia, from an even worse fate as a child soldier. Archer, who has made his living trading diamonds for arms, learns of Solomon's hidden stone while in prison for smuggling. He knows a diamond like this is a once-in-a-lifetime find—valuable enough to be his ticket out of Africa and away from the cycle of violence and corruption in which he has been a willing player. Enter Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connelly), an idealistic American journalist who is in Sierra Leone to uncover the truth behind conflict diamonds, exposing the complicity of diamond industry leaders who have chosen profits over principles. Maddy seeks out Archer as a source for her article, but soon finds it is he who needs her even more. With Maddy's help, Archer and Solomon embark on a dangerous trek through rebel territory. Archer needs Solomon to find and recover the valuable pink diamond, but Solomon seeks something far more precious…his son. Directed by Edward Zwick, the action drama "Blood Diamond" stars Academy Award nominee Leonardo DiCaprio ("The Aviator"), Academy Award winner Jennifer Connelly ("A Beautiful Mind") and Academy Award nominee Djimon Hounsou ("In America"). The screenplay was written by Charles Leavitt, from a story by Leavitt and C. Gaby Mitchell. Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Virtual Studios, "Blood Diamond," a Spring Creek / Bedford Falls production, in association with Initial Entertainment Group, released by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. "Blood Diamond" is produced by Paula Weinstein, Edward Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz, Graham King and Gillian Gorfil. The executive producers are Len Amato, Kevin De La Noy and Benjamin Waisbren. The film also stars Michael Sheen, Arnold Vosloo, David Harewood, Basil Wallace and introduces Kagiso Kuypers as Dia. Collaborating with Zwick behind the scenes were director of photography Eduardo Serra, production designer Dan Weil, costume designer Ngila Dickson, and editor Steven Rosenblum. James Newton Howard composed the score. This film has been rated "R" by the MPAA for "strong violence and language" "Blood Diamond" opens nationwide on December 8, 2006, and will be released by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. -- © Warner Bros. [More]
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly, Djimon Hounsou, Stephen Collins
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly, Djimon Hounsou, Stephen Collins, Jimi Mistry, Ato Essandoh, Michael Sheen, Basil Wallace, Kasigo Kuypers, Arnold Vosloo, Marius Weyers
Director: Edward Zwick
Director: Edward Zwick
Producer: Gillian Gorfil, Marshall Herskovitz, Graham King
Composer: James Newton Howard
Studio: Warner Bros.
Reviews for Blood Diamond
There's enough soul in DiCaprio's strong 'Blood Diamond' performance to make us believe his character is a much better man than he thinks he is.
Blood Diamond presents itself as an action thriller but the genre trappings can't hide the fact that Zwick wants to teach audiences another history lesson and lecture them on political correctness.
It all feels like Hollywood pathos... It's the sign of a filmmaker that doesn't really have anything to say, so he just shows some tragedy and lets his actors cry about it.
While I love the underlying message, the delivery is way too preachy.
BLOOD DIAMOND would have fared better if it pontificated less, and accented story more. That's the problem with most statement films; they lose their story in the message.
It succeeds well at what it sets out to do: wrapping a worthy message in a compelling story.
[Director Zwick] is craftsman enough that the pace never slackens, the chase scenes thrill, and the battle scenes sicken. And if it makes viewers think twice about buying their sweethearts that hard-won hunk of ice for Christmas, so much the better.
Blood Diamond strives to be an "important" film while stopping well short of being genuinely provocative and artistically chancy.
Rather than merely toil in action theatrics, Zwick has consistently explored the interstices of war and honor, and the way in which sense of duty is often warped.
Whether or not viewers heed the moral of Zwick's film, they should be wowed by his adventure story.
The early portions... especially the scenes of little boys being brainwashed and bullied by their RUF captors, are harrowing... Unfortunately, the story's power diminishes as the film goes on.
Blood Diamond maintains a certain level of intensity that will certainly stir the soul and perhaps inspire activism. But unfortunately, it also tries a little too hard to convey its message about global conflict.
Thanks to Mr. DiCaprio's raffishly dashing soldier of fortune, the movie is worth watching.
Zwick and screenwriter Charles Leavitt are torn between the competing masters of popular entertainment and education, and they wind up serving neither well.
Blood Diamond is redeemed by its solid performances. Chiefly from DiCaprio, who is having a great year, and Hounsou, who is dignity incarnate.
Some might argue that the Connelly role serves as the film's conscience. That may have been the intent, but as with a lot of things intended with Blood Diamond, the audience isn't made to feel it.
Director Edward Zwick, whose movies tend to preen, swell and stretch, pushes lengths past the obvious emotional closure and moral payoff.
Blood Diamond takes its title from jewels sold to fund murder and mayhem in conflict zones. Yet it's not a message movie but an old-fashioned, entertaining action adventure that contains messages.
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