On the Big Board |
| Position |
Staff |
In Brief |
| 15/200 |
Max Braden |
Better than expected, like a combo of Proof of Life and The Constant Gardener. |
| 33/52 |
Les Winan |
Disappointing and mediocre despite top notch talent, beautiful cinematography, and well-done action. |
| 33/159 |
David Mumpower |
Dark, depressing tale is oftentimes difficult to watch but engrossing nonetheless. |
Apartheid might be in Africa’s past, but the racial schism still divides the country’s natives. Capitalizing on the fertile storyline potential from such turmoil, The Blood Diamond follows the adventures of Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio). A mercenary by trade, the South African native’s life changes during an unfortunate incarceration.
While busted for smuggling, Archer becomes aware of a fisherman named Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou). This gentleman harbors a secret. He has discovered a rare pink diamond whose value is immeasurable. Vandy sees the gem as the key to his becoming the master of his fate once more. He had been taken his from family and forced to slave away mining diamonds for a brutal syndicate. The titular jewel is his leverage to attain financial independence and the personal freedom that would come from it. He also hopes to free his son, who was forcibly drafted into the RUF children’s army.
Unfortunately, Vandy had to hide his treasure and the path to its location is fraught with peril, for the time is 1999. There is civil war in Sierra Leone, and priceless jewels such as this one are the financial wherewithal for would-be kings to finance revolutions. As such, militant locals in the area as well as the diamond syndicate’s members are seeking the blood diamond. Archer and Vandy have no choice but to work together to recover the diamond. Assisting them in their pursuit is Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connelly), an idealist American journalist with a rather noticeable crush on bad boy extraordinaire Archer. The trio works together across three continents to secure the diamond and leverage it to achieve their goals. Think Romancing the Stone with a much darker tone. (David Mumpower/BOP) (Kim Hollis/BOP)
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