 |
This is a true, heart-breaking story about the war between Burundi and Rwanda. Everyone should see this movie to understand the pain experienced by the victims of this war and to gain a better understanding of why we have so many refugees in our world. I did not say this movie was "entertaining" because it was full of terrible suffering. However, it was well-done and riveting. A must see movie.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Director Terry George brings the horrific story about the Rwandan massacre to life on the big screen. The story is told through the eyes of one special man, Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle), a savvy, clever and cunning manager of a swank, four-star Belgian hotel in the capital, Kigali. When the massacres began, Paul (a Hutu) shelters more than 1200 people in the hotel and saved them from the wrath of the bloodthirsty killers. The message rang loud and clear when Paul asks the U.S. reporter (Joaquin Phoenix) how the world powers could not intervene after seeing scenes of Tutsi men, women and children being hacked to death with machetes by Hutu militia. Democratic Leaders could have easily stopped this from happening but didn't care enough to do so since there was no interest in doing so. After all, poor countries have little clout. Clinton finally apologized to Rwandans for not intervening during the 100-day massacre that saw over a million Tutsis and moderate Hutus slaughtered in a barbaric way. Apologies don't go along way with the families of those that were slaughtered. The Rwandan genocide is a black mark on western nations, which simply got their citizens out of Rwanda and then remained indifferent to the senseless killings. Working from a smart script by Keir Pearson and George, "Hotel Rwanda" contains gut-wrenching and emotionally trying moments not seen on the big screen since Schindler's List (1993). Although Steven Spielberg spent more time working on cinematography and artistic angles, George seems to capture the urgency and tenseness of the situation. Maybe it's because we now see a similar slaughter of poor, downtrodden people in the Darfur region of Sudan. Again, western nations aren't doing much other than threatening to rap the knuckles of the bad guys like angry teachers. We briefly see the horror firsthand with tidbits of footage taped by the reporter of people being killed and again in one particularly searing scene when Paul and his bellhop Gregoire (Tony Kgoroge) find themselves on a bumpy road littered with bodies, but not much of on-screen killing. The moment's were made more horrifying because George unveils it in a quite eerie manner. Making a PG-13 film about genocide requires numerous compromises. Putting most, if not all, of the violence off-camera is one such bargain George made. Truth is a closer look at the massacre would have rightly tortured us. The film, nevertheless, works without gruesome moments. Pearson and George were completely successful in capturing this true story of heroism, survival, love and compassion amid the madness. Cheadle's coolness and savvy carries the entire film throughout. There isn't a single slip in his performance. He always seems to turn in one superb performance after another. Here, he's in equal measure the smooth manager, man with a conscience, and frightened husband and father. You can sense Paul's frustration, though Cheadle rarely displays any vulnerability. He gets great support from Sophie Okonedo as Paul's Tutsi wife, Tatiana. Nick Nolte does a fantastic job as a hard nosed U.N. a Canadian United Nations officer, Colonel Oliver, although this character seems to be quite blunt and prejudiced at times. Perhaps George wished to drive home a point that some people really have humanity issues. I'm going to give this film 5/5 for its important message it strive to drive home. IF YOU LIKE MY REVIEW, PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO LET ME KNOW BY VOTING. THANKS!Read full review
This movie tells one tale of the Rwandan Genocide of the 1990's. While the violence is graphic it is not gratuitous as more than 600,000 Rwandan citizens were killed in 100 days of largely one sided violence. To tell this story without violence would not be possible. A good book to read after watching the movie is "An Ordinary Man" - an autobiography of the main character of the movie Paul Rusesabagina
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Covered a very sad but true situation which so many of our leaders ignored and of which I was not even aware had happened in 1994. I am 80.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
"Hotel Rwanda" is a true story of the atrocities of genocide, or ethnic cleansing, that occurred in the African country of Rwanda. Many dismiss such accounts, believing it could never happen to them, or only happens in far away places. It is only by the grace of God that such things aren't so in my country. Hatred of others is an ugly thing, and one that yields only horror and brutality. "Hotel Rwanda" reminds us, through its accurate accounting of events of the time, that all anyone wants is a peaceful life - something that, unfortunately, those who have too often take for granted. I bought this movie as a reminder of how much I have to be thankful for, as well as how much I need to pray God's deliverance for us all. I consider this movie a must see, although not for its entertainment value, but for the lessons it will hopefully bring to light. Lessons that many need desperately to learn. God bless.Read full review
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
