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The movie is set in 1994 during the country’s 100 days
of genocide in which more than a million people were killed.
Izzard is right—a number like that is hard to deal with.
So, director Terry George narrowed the event to a scale more
easily digestible, but still very difficult to comprehend.
Paul Rusesabagina (played by Don Cheadle) manages Rwanda’s
luxury hotel Milles Collines. A centuries-old dispute between
two cultures—Hutus and Tutsis—comes to a head when
violence erupts. Armed with machetes, Hutu mobs begin to indiscriminately
kill Tutsis by the thousands. Many escape by taking refuge
at the hotel, which is partially protected by United Nations
peacekeepers.
At first, Colonel Oliver (Nick Nolte) of the U.N. believes
international help is on the way. But when it arrives, it
is only for evacuating foreign tourists. And despite western
press reports of genocide, no one comes to the aid of the
Rwanda people.
As Paul repeatedly saves himself and his family from sure
death, hope begins to fade. And the desperate measures taken
to survive are the key moments of the film.
Cheadle and Sophie Okonedo, who plays Paul’s wife Tatiana,
received best actor and best actress nominations for the Academy
Awards the year the film was made. In addition, Keir Pearson
and Terry George were nominated for best original screenplay.
Cheadle’s portrayal of Paul is riveting, filling almost
every scene in the film. Paul is an ordinary man doing heroic
deeds in an extraordinary situation. He is the good person
who would never think otherwise. We marvel at his balanced
attempts to protect his family and the people of the hotel
at the same time. We are not surprised when he breaks down
after seeing hundreds of murdered victims. But we are in awe
when he picks himself up and goes back to the work of saving
all whom he can save.
Although they were small parts, Joaquin Phoenix’s role
as a news cameraman, and Jean Reno as president of the company
that owns the hotel both have stand out performances. And
once again, Nolte proves his diversity as the overwhelmed
but courageous U.N. colonel.
The comparisons of “Hotel Rwanda” to “Schindler’s
List” are appropriate, and a phrase repeated often since
the Holocaust comes to mind—“Never Again.”
But still it is happening—again and again and again.
One film about one part of a horrific event may not change
that. But it can’t hurt, either.
DVD Extras
Extras include a compelling documentary that traces Paul's
return to Rwanda - years later, plus a making of, an informative
commentary, trailers and short scene commentary by Don Cheadle.
Conclusion: Movie 85% Extras: 70%
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