Movie Review

Hotel Rwanda

Hotel Rwanda is one of the best films of the year. Don Cheadle stars as Paul Rusesabagina, the manager of the Milles Collines, which is a five-star hotel in Kigali. The country of Rwanda was split into two groups, the Tutsi's and the Hutu's. When the Hutu's took over power of the country in 1994, a war broke out between Tutsi rebels and the Hutu militia. The Hutu's began a sort of ethnic cleansing, tracking down and killing the Tutsi ? men, women, and children were all slaughtered. Their only solace was in the Milles Collines, which Paul fought for mightily by bargaining with the Hutu. He gave them money, wine, and food to save the lives of everyone in the hotel, including his family.

This film centers on a shocking moment in history, and not just in that people had to fight to survive it but also in that many of the European countries did nothing to help. It's a sad and disheartening commentary when saving a human life isn't a valid reason, but that is exactly why almost a million people died during the massacre between the Tutsi's and the Hutu's. As Nick Nolte's peacekeeper-not-peacemaker character explains, not one of the countries saw much reason to step in and help stop the bloodshed.

This movie begs to differ. Director Terry George drives home the devastation, abandonment, and desperation with such force that you can only cry and shake your head in disgust. He transports us into these scenes, allowing us to feel the full frightening effect of every day life in Rwanda, and how at the end of the day it still wasn?t any closer to the end and the people weren?t any safer.

There have been comparisons to Schindler's List, and one of the biggest similarities is between the two main characters. Both films are powerful pieces of work, showing how one man stood up and vowed to do everything in his power to help. Paul Rusesabagina is a remarkable man, and he is played flawlessly by Don Cheadle. This should be the role that finally sends him to the A-list. Cheadle shows a smart, caring, and incredibly dedicated human being who never gave up his greatest gift, being a businessman. The guy is instantly identifiable and it is obvious that this is the kind of guy you want by your side if ever in a jam. Jamie Foxx finally has a bit of competition in the Best Actor race.

This is a tremendous story of courage. While the rest of the world turned their back on him, Rusesabagina never gave up, even when faced with a situation as terrifying as this war. Cheadle and George do him and the conflict justice, showing the full gravity of the situation and the heroic human being who never gave up hope.

Craig's Grade: A

A	10.9%
B	41.8%
C	31.8%
D	15.3%
F	0.3%