Blood Diamond

    "Be able, at any moment, to sacrifice what we are for what we can become." Charles Dubois

This is a movie about transformation and sacrifice wrapped in a kick ass epic African action-adventure. Its a fascinating study in the futility of life in the worst of a war weary continent typified by Sierra Leone.  Lionardo Dicaprio gives an infectious and Oscar worthy performance as Danny Archer. Archer is a street savy white African survivor who trades "conflict diamonds" from Africa for the "rich and careless" elites of Western society.

Dicaprio`s performance is physical (very) and sensitive (subtly). At his core is a tormented, African violence affected boy whose tough as Tarentino, street fighting persona is oblivious to any needs but his own. But cracks in his armour appear as Jennifer Connelly enters his space. The bullshit walks and the chemistry talks. (Can you blame him its Jennfer Connelly!)

Connelly is a probing journalist, with the heart of a tree hugger, and Dicaprio reveals his painful core through their simmering attraction. The attraction bobs and weaves and their spiritual bond will be eternal if not physical. (Love that lasts without the classic embrace can be better than a bare ass in the movies).

The  Epic setting, excellent action, and terrifying conflict are heart rending as we watch the destruction of African children wrenched from their families and turned into savage killing machines. And these are truly children. (some younger than 10 years). Its horrible and apparently all too true. And what is the motivation of these horrors? The age old story of greed.

"A greedy father has thieves for children." A Serbian Proverb

The greedy themes in this movie rival the worst in our true life, nasty global economy. "Greed is not good" for the children of Africa.

I need to give honorable mention to Djimon Hounson, who plays a desperate African father fighting with every once of what he is to save his family from the abominations of this movie. You feel his pain and anyone who knows parenthood will be affected imagining his family`s struggle. His problems are life and death and we won`t ever likely know defeat and hope at the level that this character endures.

Now don`t get me wrong, at a "suspend disbelief" gut movie level, this can be a great action-adventure night at the bijou that brings pure movie going thrills. But its importance comes to me through the pain, suffering and drama from some truths of modern Africa`s anguish. Go see this movie for thrills and or ideas. It works at every level.

Dicaprio should get nominated twice this year for best actor. The Departed and Blood Diamond. This kid is becoming "the actor" of his generation..