Writer/Director: Terry George
Starring: Don Cheadle, Joaquin Phoenix and Nick Nolte
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors have made a legacy which is as powerful as Don Cheadle. Following his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Cheadle has become an icon. Whether it’s heroic hotel owners, bold pornographic actors or iconic singers, Cheadle has portrayed many characters. Arguably, the actor’s greatest strength has always been his commitment to his craft. Cheadle has poured heart and soul into each and every role. By his abilities to portray characters that audiences can easily relate to, Cheadle has become an actor that audiences value. An actor that has always had powerful commitment to his craft, Cheadle has become an icon in entertainment. Although he is arguably best known for his role as War Machine in the MCU’s movies, Cheadle has proven he can excel in any genre. Through his abilities to take risks in his career, Cheadle has become a celebrated icon that audiences always value. Throughout his enduring career, Cheadle has made several unforgivable films that are definitely without a single doubt worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Cheadle and admire all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Hotel Rwanda” is my favourite. Released in 2004, Terry George’s movie offered a powerful portrait of Rwanda’s genocide. Packed with breathtaking production-design, spellbinding storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the greatest films ever made about genocide. At the centre of it all is a strong performance by Don Cheadle, who portrays a real-life hotel manager that saved innocent civilians from a sad genocide disaster. Ultimately, what makes “Hotel Rwanda” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about Rwanda, it tackles strong themes that everyone would be able to relate to. It delivers a strong message about genocides which would definitely with everyone. A mesmerizing masterpiece about a frightening genocide, there are several strong reasons why “Hotel Rwanda” is a commemorated movie about Africa which is worth seeing.
Set in 1990’s Rwanda, “Hotel Rwanda” tells a true story of a genocide that caused African people to face trauma. Don Cheadle portrays Paul Rusesabagina, a strong hotel manager seeking to manage a hotel in Africa. Paul has always had a lifelong love for his country that he loves dearly. However. Paul’s life changes when he becomes involved in a grim genocide disaster. A frightening genocide in which Tutsi people are killed forces Paul to question love for his country. Seeking to overcome a painful genocide that causes trauma, Paul takes it upon himself to assist Tutsis in Africa. Faced with a dilemma, Paul shelters citizens into his hotel to rescue frightened Tutsis whose lives are now in grave danger in Africa. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Paul questions whether it’s possible to overcome a terrifying genocide disaster.
Terry George is a newcomer towards stories of African genocide causing disaster. Before he directed “Hotel Rwanda”, George had never directed a movie about Rwanda before. It was the filmmakers first attempt to capture a grim genocide disaster that occurred in Africa, but he succeeded tremendously. Using captivating cinematography, George captures the tensions faced by hotel managers seeking to resolve a genocide that’s frightening. Taking inspiration from Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List”, the filmmaker effectively uses handled camera to capture a genocide which causes trauma. For instance, handheld camera work enhances the injury scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Paul js shocked to discover his son has been mercilessly injured by Tutsi rebels. Through handheld camera-work, George captures the tensions which individuals in a genocide are facing. Handheld camera work is a complex technique to use in films. As Paul Greengrass’ “Captain Phillips” claimed, handheld camera elevates films about hijackings. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, George captures a grim genocide that’s terrifying.
Another admirable aspect of “Hotel Rwanda” which merits appreciation is the production-design. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. George successfully uses real-life locations in Africa to capture the hardships which individuals in a genocide are facing. For instance, the real-life locations in Africa enhance the hotel scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Paul locates citizens of an African genocide into a hotel saving many innocent lives. One acknowledges real-life real-life African locations which illustrates hardship that hotel managers are enduring. African locations are tricky techniques to employ in most movies. As Edward Zwick’s “Blood Diamond” has suggested, African locations enhance movies about diamonds smugglers. Nevertheless, it works immensely on this movie. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Andrea Guerra’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the painful burden that Rwandan hotel managers bear. Through bold production-design, George captures the lives of African hotel managers which experience a decline.
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “Hotel Rwanda” is a classic that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and successfully uses silence to capture a genocide of violence. George’s screenwriting strength is his abilities to capture a genocide causing tension through silence. Throughout the movie, George deftly uses silence to capture the lives of individuals impacted by violence. Taking inspiration from Roman Polanski’s “The Pianist”, George deftly uses silence to capture individuals in genocide which are impacted by violence. For instance, silence elevates the death news scene. During this unforgettable scene, Paul is heartbroken to discover upsetting news of Tutsis that are mercilessly murdered in genocide. Through a use of silence, George creates a compelling portrait of a genocide which audiences could relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As John Krasinski’s “A Quiet Place” suggested, silence enhances horror movies movies about apocalypse. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through an engaging screenplay, George captures the lives of Rwandan citizens in a genocide that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Don Cheadle delivers one of his best career performances as Paul. Cheadle first earned appreciation for playing clever con artists in crime movies. With “Hotel Rwanda”, however, he took on his most challenging role. It isn’t simple to portray a Rwandan hotel manager that rescues civilians from a genocide but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, somber and emotional in his most iconic role. Cheadle has always had an aptitude for playing strong characters in positions of power, and “Hotel Rwanda” showcased his strengths as an actor. With captivating expressions, he captures the angst, grief and heroism of a Rwandan hotel manager that rescued civilians from a painful genocide. It’s a phenomenal performance by one of the most commemorated actors that’s working today.
While the film is mainly a stunning showcase for Don Cheadle, the supporting cast is also excellent and worthy of appreciations. Nick Nolte is fantastic, capturing the bravery of a heroic army commander that seeks to rescue innocent civilians in a catastrophic genocide which is tragic. Joaquin Phoenix is powerful, bringing a sense of authority to a journalist with a camera seeking to uncover genocide tragedy. Finally, Jean Reno merits recognition. As a French president that seeks to prevent a genocide, he brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Hotel Rwanda” will earn recognition of everyone for capturing genocide which causes trauma. Unlike most movies about Rwanda, it tackles strong themes that everyone will relate to. It discusses strong themes such as identity, genocides and heroism which would definitely resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with Rwanda’s history to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message regarding genocide which would definitely resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Hotel Rwanda” is one of those rare films about genocides everyone will adore.
Fans of Don Cheadle will definitely appreciate “Hotel Rwanda” and so will movie-goers that seek heartbreaking entertainment. A riveting masterpiece about a genocide in Rwanda, it celebrates an actor with charisma which has become an icon in the modern era.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about heroic hotel managers risking their lives to rescue innocent civilians from a genocide causing trauma in Rwanda, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor with charisma that has gained a huge fan following for his abilities to portray compelling characters that experience a dilemma in unforgettable movies which are treasured by audiences in America.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 