Excellent film. Serves as a metaphor for the ages-long tragedy of war in Africa; kudos to DiCaprio, a big Hollywood star, for making such a film. This film should be a wakeup call to white American and European audiences, especially, to the ravages of endless fighting, ceaseless killing, and perpetual damage to an entire continent and its peoples. I was moved to tears by the tragedy of a family torn asunder by violence they had nothing to do with. In Tim Butcher book, Blood River, I read about Belgian colonialists chopping off hands of Congolese as a means of exercising control and instilling terror; in this film that fact is spoken by a character, but one so minor that it could well get past most people. It is shown graphically.
DiCaprio are Djimon Hounsou are magnificent in their roles. Leo actually manages to pull off an accent quite well (his character calls it Rhodesian). Djimon is flawless in showing pathos, bravery, defiance, perseverance. Jennifer Connelly's performance is mediocre, and her character is a two-dimensional stereotype. Too bad; she can act well. Overall, a stirring, disturbing, excellent film.
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