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Hotel Rwanda
2004
Don Cheadle stars in the true-life story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who housed over a thousand Tutsis refugees during their struggle against the Hutu militia in Rwanda. Read more
| Starring | Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo, Nick Nolte, Joaquin Phoenix |
|---|---|
| Director | Terry George |
| Genres | Drama, Thriller |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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Oscar-nominated Don Cheadle delivers the performance of his career in this gut-wrenching drama based on events in Rwanda in the mid-1990s. Dubbed “Africa's Schindler's List” by US critics, it's an inspirational and shame-inducing story of one man's courage in the face of genuine horror. In a brilliantly complex turn, Cheadle plays true-life hero Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who saved the lives of more than 1200 refugees — the majority of them Tutsi — by sheltering them at his workplace. Cleanly shot with an acute sense of realism, the film focuses on the emotional interaction between its characters as they struggle to survive despite appalling indifference from the West. By homing in on just one element of the Hutu campaign of genocide, co-writer/director Terry George gives a human face to the shocking statistics, while his simple, straightforward style emphasises the chilling casualness of the violence. Occasionally there's a sense of unnecessary manipulation, but it's quickly forgotten in a picture of genuine weight and power.
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Leading performances give vitality and emotion to an underpowered version of a true story about a brave man; while admirable for its focus on an appalling, soon forgotten moment in recent history, the film fails to provide a wider context for its tale of
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A decade since tribal extremists in Rwanda organised a blitzkrieg of ethnic killing while the world minced its words,... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
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114 out of 129 people found this review helpful
Heart Wrenching Drama
I found this to be a heart wrenching eye-opening film. I can't pretend to know much of Rwanda's history and therefore cannot comment on the film's bias. What I can comment on is the power with which Don Cheadle plays his role. He brings wonderful humanity and warmth to his character and is the key to the movie's success. Nolte's General seems very misplaced however.
Some of the scenes are disturbing and some viewers may find them hard to stomach. However, these scenes add to the storyline and are a necessary part of the film. The film is shot a little like a documentary, which gives it a more human and earthy feel. Prepare to be moved by the injustice of international politics and its ability to ignore human suffering. For that is what this movie dishes out in bucket loads. -
47 out of 56 people found this review helpful
Amazing true story and a quality movie
What an amazing film covering such shocking events. Absolutely awesome what Paul managed to do to keep going for his family, to continually try to keep clinging on to his and others lives hour by hour. The film itself, just by telling his story, keeps you constantly tense wondering what will happen, why others such as the U.N and troops can't help more, how situations can go this bad, how helpless anyone would be...
Really great acting by Don C and Sophie O, in a film with such an amazing true story that the only other film that compares is the classic 'The Killing Fields'. Anyone not sure whether to go for this movie incase they feel it is too 'heavy going' should just go for it, you won't be disappointed. -
44 out of 46 people found this review helpful
Tears
This is an amazingly moving film and one which i would urge everyone to see.
With seemingly similar events going on in Darfur this is a wake up call to human suffering and the fact that the 'international community' has to start behaving like one.
Not an easy film to see, and I am sure some will have issues with it, but I was touched very deeply by it. -
Most recent members' reviews (2)
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3 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Preachy
My skin crawls just at the thought of what the African people have done to each other over the last century. All in the name of tribal superiority. I guess not a lot different from the inter-country wars we have experienced over the same period. It just seems that the violence is made more ghastly by its human one-on-one scale.
This film makes my skin crawl for different reasons -it's filled with stereotypes from the wooden Nick Nolte through the sole use of South-African English to the lost helplessness of the women in the story.
And then it starts lecturing on the decadence of power and the self-interest of the West.
Which is all true and honest, but makes for an unchallenging -even boring film -made more so by the lack of imaginative camera work and directing - we have a scene where clandestine press men have filmed a slaughter where the Hutu killers look more like they're doing a bit of weeding rather than hacking limbs etc.
Total Tosh.
2 Stars cos the subject needs addressing. -
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Wow, this opened my eyes!
I must say that this film opened my eyes to a conflict I either knew nothing about or chose to ignore. I knew nothing of the story apart from the synopsis on this site and advertising boards when it was in the cinema.
I cried, I laughed (yes, there was some mild humour in this film too) and my heart went out to the people that suffered. The bravery of this one man, prepared to risk his own life for 1200 others, truly moved me.
I only rented this, as it was one of those films that was so publicly rated I thought I'd watch it and see for myself. I'm glad I did, I wasn't disappointed, I'm sure you won't be either. I only wish I'd put it as a high priority so I'd seen it sooner!
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114 out of 129 people found this review helpful
Heart Wrenching Drama
I found this to be a heart wrenching eye-opening film. I can't pretend to know much of Rwanda's history and therefore cannot comment on the film's bias. What I can comment on is the power with which Don Cheadle plays his role. He brings wonderful humanity and warmth to his character and is the key to the movie's success. Nolte's General seems very misplaced however.
Some of the scenes are disturbing and some viewers may find them hard to stomach. However, these scenes add to the storyline and are a necessary part of the film. The film is shot a little like a documentary, which gives it a more human and earthy feel. Prepare to be moved by the injustice of international politics and its ability to ignore human suffering. For that is what this movie dishes out in bucket loads. -
47 out of 56 people found this review helpful
Amazing true story and a quality movie
What an amazing film covering such shocking events. Absolutely awesome what Paul managed to do to keep going for his family, to continually try to keep clinging on to his and others lives hour by hour. The film itself, just by telling his story, keeps you constantly tense wondering what will happen, why others such as the U.N and troops can't help more, how situations can go this bad, how helpless anyone would be...
Really great acting by Don C and Sophie O, in a film with such an amazing true story that the only other film that compares is the classic 'The Killing Fields'. Anyone not sure whether to go for this movie incase they feel it is too 'heavy going' should just go for it, you won't be disappointed. -
44 out of 46 people found this review helpful
Tears
This is an amazingly moving film and one which i would urge everyone to see.
With seemingly similar events going on in Darfur this is a wake up call to human suffering and the fact that the 'international community' has to start behaving like one.
Not an easy film to see, and I am sure some will have issues with it, but I was touched very deeply by it. -
36 out of 42 people found this review helpful
Powerful
The sheer horrors that surround a civil war are chillingly realized in this heart-wrenching film. Hotel Rwanda effectively depicts the anarchy and total disregard for life that occurred during the terrible genocide of 1994. Don Cheadle is powerful in the lead role of ‘Paul’ and the supporting cast is also excellent. Sadly Nick Nolte is miscast as the desperate U.N Colonel, but this aside, Hotel Rwanda is an accomplished film.
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29 out of 30 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
SEE THIS FILM
I found this film thought provoking, harrowing and moving. It puts your day-to-day moans into context. I thought Foxx earned his best actor Oscar for 'Ray', but having seen this I think Cheadle should have taken the honour for a more worthy piece of work. How this film didn't even get nominated for 'best film' I'll never know. A howling error by Hollywood. SEE THIS FILM AND GET A GLIMPSE AT THE BIGGER WORLD PICTURE.
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25 out of 30 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
A difficult subject admirably portrayed.
An incredibly moving story, well acted and beautifully directed. Commendably avoids the temptation to portray scenes (graphically) most of us are aware took place, though no less harrowing as a result.
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- younglochinvar from Prestatyn
- Posted 18 Sep 2007 21:50
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21 out of 29 people found this review helpful
Brilliant
I'm not one who would usually watch movies in this genre. I sat down one evening with my brother who has confessed he hates movies 'where all they do is talk' so it wasn't loking like a film that is fairly deep would go down too well. How wrong were we. It is an absolutely brilliant film. It makes you think for the whole duration of the film. It is one of the few films that we have watched and no one has said anything through out the whole film. Two words- RENT IT
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20 out of 27 people found this review helpful
mmm not my cup of tea!
although probably true to life, i found this film harrowing and depressing guess im a disney kind of girl
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18 out of 18 people found this review helpful
Brilliant
I watched this film with some friends and we were all moved to tears.
A truly emotional roller coaster of emotions. Fantastic acting and some brilliant scenes. A must for all to see and understand and not allow ethnic cleansing to happen again!! -
14 out of 14 people found this review helpful
Monumentally Moving
How this film didn't win an Oscar is a question to ponder for a long time.
This was possibly the most captivating and moving film I have ever seen. Don Cheadle was brilliant, it is hard to believe that it is the same man as the cockney in 'Ocean's 11'.
You must watch this film. It will teach you so much.
Critics' reviews (3)
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Oscar-nominated Don Cheadle delivers the performance of his career in this gut-wrenching drama based on events in Rwanda in the mid-1990s. Dubbed “Africa's Schindler's List” by US critics, it's an inspirational and shame-inducing story of one man's courage in the face of genuine horror. In a brilliantly complex turn, Cheadle plays true-life hero Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who saved the lives of more than 1200 refugees — the majority of them Tutsi — by sheltering them at his workplace. Cleanly shot with an acute sense of realism, the film focuses on the emotional interaction between its characters as they struggle to survive despite appalling indifference from the West. By homing in on just one element of the Hutu campaign of genocide, co-writer/director Terry George gives a human face to the shocking statistics, while his simple, straightforward style emphasises the chilling casualness of the violence. Occasionally there's a sense of unnecessary manipulation, but it's quickly forgotten in a picture of genuine weight and power.
-
Leading performances give vitality and emotion to an underpowered version of a true story about a brave man; while admirable for its focus on an appalling, soon forgotten moment in recent history, the film fails to provide a wider context for its tale of
-
A decade since tribal extremists in Rwanda organised a blitzkrieg of ethnic killing while the world minced its words,... read more on Time Out
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Hotel Rwanda
Don Cheadle stars in the true-life story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who housed over a thousand Tutsis refugees during their struggle against the Hutu militia in Rwanda....
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