Blood Diamond

If you believe DeCrappio can portray a battle-hardened, South African diamond-smuggler with any degree of believability, then I have some oceanfront property for sale in Arizona. Still, I usually like to see Connelly on the screen, but her performance was equally uninspiring in this flic. Finally, the only decent performance was by Hounsou, but it didn’t come close to saving the film as his character seemed incapable of independent, individual thought, leaving the character to appear as a non-sentient being.

This was just another film pandering to social concerns about the diamond trade in Africa. But I believe many will still venture forth to various jewelry stores for engagement rings just after watching the film. “Clean” diamonds represent another advertisement like “organic” foods, which are simply meant to shift marketing (all foods contain carbon and are, therefore, organic. But idiots and hippies are just another demographic for corporate marketing). Another frustration is that the real diamond markets aren’t explored. It’s simply a film about pirates vying for the same treasure, just for different motivations leading back to a single “life’s tough” perspective and resultant selfishness.

I wasn’t too impressed. If you want the realities of the diamond trade, then do some personal research from citable sources rather than relying on a sensationalized story about one character—DeCrappio. Ah, the tragedy of the commons. However, if you seek justification for guilty feelings and tears arising from a glamorization of the social conditions arising from diamonds found in Africa, get this movie. I give it a 5 outta 10 for the scenery and the blame placed so squarely on the demand curve of G4 nations for the wrong reasons. Make that a 4.5 since DeCrappio sucks so much. [Ed.’s Note: Zeke disagrees on this one]