Movie review: Blood Diamond

Tiffani commented at the outset of Blood Diamond that the movie choice was going to be upsetting, and I readily agreed, considering the realities of Sierra Leone's civil war, and the violent opening scenes. Later, I mentioned that I felt like I was simmering through the movie, that the tension of the constant threat caused me to feel edgy the entire picture.

Graphic in its portrayal of the capriciousness of African civil war violence, but ham-fisted in the relationship-building scenes, Blood Diamond had an uneven, start-stop feel. The introductory scene and most that follow with the male and female leads -- Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Connelly -- together were choppy, the meeting and the conflict felt forced, with an unnatural flow and feel to their exchanges, and I couldn't decide if it was the writing or the acting. As disagreeable as DiCaprio's character appeared, and his redemption at the film's ending lacked any sort of explained motivation, the actor seemed to master the southern African English dialect and accent well. And Djimon Hounsou is his usual excellent self, a pleasure to watch in his dignity and restraint.

What one is left with from Blood Diamond is not necessarily the plot or the violence, but the didacticism. Conflict diamonds are more notable due to the movie, but consumers need to consider conflict chocolate, coffee, and even flowers as well.