shrrshrr

Here's the IMDb page

I happen to be deeply personally interested in this film because I'm first-generation American, Mende, and my family's from Sierra Leone. For those who don't know, there's a heavy traffic of illegal diamonds in the world smuggled out of various parts of Africa (many from Sierra Leone), used to fund a violent, bloody, nonsensical war...not that war makes sense, but this one has been based purely on greed for more than 2 decades.

In a way I'm glad Leonardo DiCaprio's attached to the project (as is Jennifer Connelly) because it might draw US audiences to watch a film that's probably not of much interest to them, otherwise.

Some of the worst human rights atrocities were committed in the name of this war - I won't go into the details so I won't upset some of you, but it involved the mutilation of hundreds of thousands of children, among other horrors - and it's still on-going, although not nearly as bad as it was.

Anyone else interested in seeing this film?

Enigma

Yes, count me in. I'll definitely be seeing this.

I don't really know much of the background of the war and what exactly it was all about, so thanks for sharing a little bit about it. It sounds horrific!!

shrrshrr

Yes, it is.

So what got you interested in the film? Also - LOVE the avi!

BabyJ

Hmm I actually heard about this film a couple of months ago via the internet. I admit I thought the plot was somewhat interesting byt I didn't give it much thought.

Then I saw the trailer for this with The Departed. And it definitely looks interesting. I'm planning to see it; it's just a matter of whether I can find some other people to see it with me. That's the real challenge. Judging from their reactions, the guys that saw The Departed with me are much more interested in 300 than they are in Blood Diamond.

Enigma

Thanks.

I first got interested in the movie because of where it takes place........not Sierra Leone specifically, but Africa. And then when I saw the actual trailors it piqued my interest even more. The plot looks really ineteresting. And now with what you've said on here I'm curious to learn more about it.

Enigma

Bringing this back up since the movie is out now. I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts.

I saw it over the weekend. Leo and Djimon were fantastic! The script wasn't as good as it could have been I thought though.

taovande

About to rush off to work--but I will definitely be back to talk about the movie and what got me interested in seeing it.


Is it okay to put spoilers here? Just wanted to know so when I come back tonight and post I won't do something wrong.

taovande

My post will more than likely contain spoilers so you've been warned And it will be incredibally long..so once again, heed the warning!


The movie started off a bit slowly and the directing was really hit or miss with me for the first 10 minutes or so. My sister is a screenwriter (not professional yet...but she will be) and I know a thing or two about what a good screenplay contains and I definitely know what a screenplay should not contain. The first 10 minutes or so of the movie was a bit slow and also the flashes between the committee and what was going on in Soloman's (Djimon) village and Danny's (Leo) storyline was just not well done. It was too jarring and it contained way too much exposition/dialogue--I also understand that for a movie like this it's necessary--but it was boring to watch at times.

Finally the story picks up with Djimon finding his diamond and getting hauled off to prison (As well as Leo). The pacing finally evens out and becomes interesting to watch.

I think Jennifer Connelly was wasted in this movie. Her character doesn't do a whole lot, besides make googly eyes at Leo, especially for the first hour of the film. She finally starts to get a nice character arch and then bam she has her good-bye with Leo and just is gone.

The real relationship everyone should be interested in is the one developing between Danny and Soloman. It has a nice arc that is realistic and has a few twists and turns.

Some scenes that really stood out to me (Good and Bad):

1. The scene with Danny and the baboon. Danny's anger/frustration at being so close to the diamond and then nearly having it all be ruined by Soloman was so intense. His monologue was fantastic and would be enough for me to give Leo an Oscar nomination.

2. I really liked the scene with Danny/Maddy (was her name Maddy?) when he talks about God. I enjoyed the scene that was until they had to ruin it by having her grab his hand. I think the scene worked better without that little bit added in. I guess it was in to keep the female audience in their seats for the movie--making googly eyes at Leo from their respective theatres--but to me it just wasn't necessary.

3. The action scenes were all really well directed--especially the final action sequence when Danny is running to get Dia.

4. Speaking of Dia---The scene where Danny is screaming at Soloman to tell them where the diamond was, was nicely done as well. Danny was trying to stay so calm and then just flipped out. I was actually happy to see the more evil Danny come out when he offered up Soloman's son as a form of black-mail. The movie of course, had to turn around two seconds later and say "No, just kidding, It's Leo everyone--he's a good guy" and ruin the moment.

and lastly...

5. The scene where Soloman and Danny fight and Danny draws his gun on him. The acting by both actors was insanely good.


Now onto the respective actors:

Leonardo Dicaprio: Wowzers, he's pretty talented. He did a great job of showing off the charming side of his character and the side that is so incredibally desperate to get off the continent. He had this underlying fear that was just below the border of his emotional character that would just come out in crazy bursts and he would suddenly realize what he was doing and try to maintain his cool all over again. He was deliciously evil and deceptive for about 3/4 of the movie and I loved it. I was half hoping that he was tricking Soloman and Dia and was actually going to take off on the plane and leave them there instead. Not because I'm a horrible person--but it would have been kinda nice (and would have been a nice change of pace from other movies) to watch a character that was that malipulative and had absolutely no moral/ethical characteristics. I have no idea about the South African accent--to me he was pretty consistent..now was he consistent with a good accent or a bad accent, I have no idea--I do not know anyone personally from that part of the world.

Djimon Hounson: Leo describes him as being the soul of the movie. He really is. He's the soul, the pumping heart that makes you actually care about what happens. You want him to wind up with his family--you want Leo to be nice to him. You just simply want to see him succeed. His amount of talent blew me away. His primal screams to find his son really get down into your bones. His naivity was frustrating at times as a viewer but you could understand why he was the way that he was. The only downside to his character is that he's too nice. In a country like that, surrounded by everything that is going on--he should be more angry. He should be more frustrated. But I suppose if it's all you know and have ever seen--you become nearly jaded.

Jennifer Connelly: I posted before about her. She had decent chemistry with Leo and her eyes are insane! But her talent as well as her character was a bit wasted.


The ending:

Heavy spoilers so stop reading if you don't want to know the ending!!

Oh lordy, the ending. This is where my screenwriting knowledge comes into play. This ending was so contrived and cheesy (for lack of a better word). Thank god they had the actors that they had. With Danny's conversation with Maddy on the phone--it may have been sweet, and finally honest but it was beyond corny ("I'm right where I belong"). I loved the visuals of his blood mixing with the dirt--but because of the previous scene where they talk about the red dirt--you knew the moment was coming and it tarnished the emotional impact of the ending.

Soloman talking at the Kimberly meeting and the standing ovation was a bit over the top and is not something normally recommended for screenplays--but because of Djimon it doesn't make you want to throw up from having to sit through such a corny moment.

Overall:

A pretty decent movie. I love that it's an action movie that will get some people in the theatre to learn about something so important and yet will still entertain.
I wish I had known some of these things before. I've always been interested in Africa and movies about Africa (Hotel Rwanda is my favorite) and I'm a huge fan of Leo's and that's really what piqued my interest. I think if the script was tightened up a bit this movie could have been Oscar material---but like I said before, because of the acting in this movie--it's elevated from mediocre to something I would recommend others to see--and it's something the Academy will take notice of and I think Djimon and possibly Leo could get much deserved nominations.

And now to anyone who actually read this entire thing...I applaud you!

taovande

The movie and Leo/Djimon were nominated for the Critics Choice Awards (January 12th).

Leo is actually competing against himself for The Departed!

Enigma

Tao - I read it all. I enjoyed reading your thoughts and am pretty much in complete agreement.

The screenplay wasn't what it could have been I thought, so I definitely agree about that. But, as you said the acting made up for it and I'd recommend it for viewing.

Jennifer Connelly - Sadly I can't disagree that her character/talent was wasted. It really was. But, I was pleasantly surprised at her chemistry with Leo which I didn't expect.

You summed up his performance perfectly.

And I know alot of people have mentioned the accent to me. In fact one of my friends didn't want to go to the movie with me because she said she thought his accent was horrible. But, like you, I thought it wasn't bad and was pretty consistent. He did change the accent up a few times, but I thought it was intentional the times he did because of where he was/who he was talking to. Maybe I'm giving him too much credit though. But, I don't know.......I thought he did a good job.

Again I couldn't agree more. I was really wowed by Djimon and those screams you mentioned tore at my soul.

I agree about him being too nice but then again I'm sure those that haven't personally been touched by the violence and things going on around them might not be all that angry. Like you said..........it has just been a way of life and maybe they are immune to it. In any country bad things can be going on around you but sometimes it doesn't penetrate you until it touches your life personally in some way. And just like anywhere people can grow up in the same place or in similar situations and have angers and prejudices, etc. while others don't.

The scenes you mentioned are the ones that stood out to me as well. And I agree about the ending........it was over the top and a bit hokey.

Like you, I've always been interested in Africa and movies about Africa, etc.

This is OT, but did you see To Catch a Fire?

Thanks for the CCA info.

taovande

Someone actually read it!! Sometimes it seems that in the world of Fanforum--1 sentence posts is the limit for some people.

Yeah--I was actually suprised about their chemistry as well. If I was a casting director those two actors would be nowhere in my mind when thinking of casting possibly love interests! But they actually did a really great job--especially since most of their relationship is all through the eyes--they never physically do anything on camera as a couple (aside from the hand holding scene I mentioned).

As for the accent--I agree--he changed it up --the part I remember distinctly was at the beginning when he was meeting for the first diamond smuggle-- they had to put subtitles up because I guess he was speaking in a heavier accent and mixing in south african slang words. But he was also speaking with someone who spoke the same way that he did in that particular scene. So I'm assuming the change was on purpose.


I've never seen To Catch A Fire--I'll go imdb it later on and see what it's about and see if it sparks my interest.

Enigma

I know what you mean. I love to discuss things but it's really hard when you have nothing to bounce off but one word and one sentence posts.

But, back to Blood Diamond.

The first diamond smuggle was the scene I remember the most when he changed up his accent because it was so distinct. I believe it was intentional as well. Like I said, I was quite impressed actually.

Yes, her name was Maddy. Her grabbing his hand at the end of that scene didn't initially bother me that much but thinking about it after the movie I felt the same way. It was unnecessary and I too feel the scene would have worked better w/o it. But, like you said, I guess they were trying to appeal to a certain sector of the audience.

That scene was extremely intense. Wow!

Another scene I found powerful was the scene with Solomon and Dia.......when Dia has the gun pulled on Danny and then him.

taovande

Oh yes--how could I have forgotten that scene. It's a wonderful scene between Dia/Danny/Soloman. Very intense to see how the war affects the children--and basically brainwashes them via acting as a father figure, drugging them, letting them believe they are powerful, threatening family--it was just frightening.

Especially the scene that led up to that moment for Dia--when Soloman sees him playing cards and Dia is yelling for the other boys to shoot Soloman.

The more and more I think about this movie and recall little moments--the more and more I realize how much I really enjoyed it.

Golden Globe Noms come out tomorrow!!

Enigma

It was so sad to see how the war affects the children. Watching the brainwashing and seeing how the children turned was just heartbreaking. And scary!

I'm excited for the nominations tomorrow!

taovande

Leo is a double nominee!! Well deserved I might add!

I haven't heard anything on Djimon yet--I'll look around