Genre: Drama
Director: Terry George
Starring: Don Cheadle, Nick Nolte, Joaquin
Phoenix, Sophie Okonedo
RunTime: 1 hr 50 mins
Released By: Shaw
Rating: PG
Release
Date: 20 January 2005
Synopsis
:
Ten
years ago, as the country of Rwanda descended into madness,
one man made a promise to protect the family he loved –
and ended up finding the courage to save over 1200 people.
Hotel Rwanda tells the inspiring story of real-life hero Paul
Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle), a hotel manager in Rwanda who
used his courage and cunning to shelter over a thousand refugees
from certain death.
While the rest of the world closed its eyes, Paul opened his
heart and proved that one good man can make a difference.
Movie
Review:
Hotel
Rwanda initially came to my attention due to the fact that
Don Cheadle, the ever-reliable supporting actor of films such
as Traffic and Ocean 11 / 12, finally got the chance to star
as the lead. After watching Hotel Rwanda, not only did Don
Cheadle impress me with his performance, the story also emotionally
moved and disturbed me simultaneously.
This film
is based on a true story that recounts the genocide that happened
in Rwanda. As the Hutus tribe mercilessly hunted and slaughtered
Tutsi tribe, hotel manager’s, Paul Ruseabagina, summoned
all his courage and capabilities to save his family and as
many refugees as possible.
What made
matters worse was when the United Nations decided to pull
out the peacekeeping forces from Rwanda and without any foreign
countries willing to intervene, the massacre’s casualty
count had reached over a million.
This film
not only serves as a testament of what atrocities we humans
are able to perform upon each other in the name of inter-racial
hatred but also serves as a painful reminder of how one can
turn a blind eye to a poor country’s plea for help.
It also bears witness to the heroics and anguishes of both
Paul Ruseabagina and UN peacekeeper officer-in charge Col.
Oliver from saving the refugees and the lack of support from
the UN.
Don
Cheadle shines as the hotel manager Paul Ruseabagina and his
performance here is worthy of at least an Oscar Best Actor
Nomination. As usual, he never exaggerated in his role-play
and was unreservedly convincing enough to allow the viewers
to live through the entire struggle he walked through from
his eyes. A truly memorable performance as you watch Don Cheadle’s
character displaying that certain degree of fear and confidence
while being dragged in to the mayhem, a commendable man in
dire situation.
Don’t
miss this engrossing film that could be easily one of the
best film on war crime and humanitarian issues, packed with
fine acting.
Movie
Rating: A
Review by our columnist Richard Lim Jr
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