I hate it when filmmakers try to juice up an important story by showing off all of their fancy directorial techniques. One of the chief reasons Amistad wasn't as successful as say Schindler's List was that Spielberg interfered too much with what was already a fascinating story. With 'Hotel Rwanda', director Terry George understands he already had an incredible story to work with. Despite a few times where the score noticeably blares up on the soundtrack, George does a great job of skillfully presenting the events of the story. The result is a movie that completely takes it's audience in and never lets go.

'Hotel Rwanda' takes place during the Rwandan genocide of 1994. The country was divided along tribal lines, with Hutu on one side and Tutsi on the the other. When the president of Rwanda is killed (after signing a peace treaty between the tribes), Tutsi rebels are blamed. Extremist Hutus take their revenge out against all Tutsis, taking them out of their homes and slaughtering them by the hundreds of thousands.

The movie revolves around the efforts of one man who does everything he can during this crisis. That man is Paul Rusesabagina, house manager for a five star hotel in Rwanda. While he is Hutu, his wife is Tutsi and his family is in danger. Thankfully, Paul's position at the hotel has enabled him to establish connections with high profile people in the military and other governments. He uses these connections to keep his family and close friends alive. Suddenly Tutsi and moderate Hutu begin to flock to the hotel. Paul resists at first, but eventually takes them in, realizing that he must do whatever he can to protect the lives of those in need.

Hotel Rwanda's first act is extremely efficient. The seemingly effortless way in which George and co-screenwriter Keir Pearson present the characters and introduce us to the ongoing tribal conflict in Rwanda is quite impressive. Joaquin Phoenix shows up early on as a photojournalist that acts like the audience surrogate, asking the questions we would have asked, reacting to things the way we would react. Phoenix's character is just a minor one though, and when he leaves the film it provides the audience with a oh-crap-we're-in-hell-and-not-likely-getting-out feeling. Suddenly, we are now in the shoes of the Tutsis, looking to Paul Rusesabagina for protection and guidance, and that's exactly what he provides.

Don Cheadle invests a quiet dignity and creative thinking in Paul that is very appropriate for the character. I'm not sure what the real Paul was like, but I imagine he had to have the same qualities to accomplish the things he did. Several times in this film, the Tutsis staying at the hotel are almost massacred, only to be saved by some last minute quick thinking by Paul. He uses many different tactics. When his contacts are no longer good, he tries bribes, and when that no longer works he uses threats. Paul's resourcefulness in a time of chaos is nothing short of heroic.

Cheadle's wonderful performance is key to making this film work, but he is not alone. Sophie Okonedo gives an impassioned performance as Cheadle's wife. This is not overacting. It is intense emotional ferocity. Nick Nolte is very resourceful as a U.N. Colonel protecting the hotel. He gives one of the films best speeches when it is clear the world has deserted the Rwandans. Joaquin Phoenix, Desmond Dube, and Cara Seymour also provide very strong support.

'Hotel Rwanda' is a movie with a multitude of standout scenes, but the one that sticks with me is the shameless march of Westerners and Europeans who have been granted a departure. George plays this scene very well, careful not to judge those that are leaving, but also quietly condemning those that have come to rescue everyone but the Rwandans. It's a great scene that has powerful echos of the current situation in Darfur, where the world has once again largely ignored a genocide. I'm grateful to Terry George for superbly presenting us this story, but I wonder how many more movies like this will be made before the world finally wakes up?



Recommended: Yes