“Hotel Rwanda” (United Artists)
“Hotel Rwanda” is based on the true story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager in Rwanda, Africa. Ten years ago there was a conflict between the Tutsis and Hutu in this country. The Tutsis were being annihilated and the world seemingly stood by and watched. Paul Rusesabagina did more than watch. He stepped in and saved over a thousand of these people. This movie showcases his courage and his determination.
Paul, who is played by Don Cheadle in an award winning performance, was a hotel manager in Rwanda. Although he was a Hutu and got along with the military people in power, he was married to a Tutsis. When the war between the two groups of people was at its worst Paul managed to take people in at his hotel and keep them safe.
Every day he thought the United Nations troops and/or other countries in the world would come to their rescue but they didn’t. It seems the world was not interested in a conflict in a small African nation. So the killings continued, but still Paul held on using all of his skills and energies to keep these people safe.
The film captures the total spirit and horror of the conflict without ever being overly graphic. It deals more with the personal angle than the mass murder concept. You are aware things are happening on an epic scale but your real concerns are those persons Paul is protecting which includes his wife (Sophie Okonedo) and children.
Cheadle is excellent in his portrayal of Paul. He has the accent down as well as the inner strength of the man. Opposite him Okonedo is good but not great. Her role is not as fleshed out as is Cheadle’s and so she does not make as much of an impression. Nick Nolte has some good moments as the head of the United Nations forces.
The film is rated PG-13 for violence and profanity.
“Hotel Rwanda” is just as impressive and moving as “Schindler’s List.” The theme is basically the same and the performances are comparable. Although this assault on humanity is not as well known it is still just as horrific. Any audience seeing this film will have to be affected.
I scored “Hotel Rwanda” an occupied 7 out of 10.
