Hotel Rwanda

Reel Critic Grade: A- Running Time: 110 minutes Rated: PG-13

Director Terry George had the guts to do what the rest of the world would not – acknowledge the horrific genocide that took place in Rwanda in 1994. His refusal to look the other way and/or forget, has brought the rest of us face to face with the tragedies and triumphs of the 100 day killing spree which left over one million men, women and children dead. This remarkable film shines a bright light on the best and worst of mankind and the high cost of indifference.

In Rwanda there are Hutus and Tutsis – two tribal factions at odds for much of the country’s history. Their fragile co-existence explodes when the President is murdered and Hutus set out to rid their nation of the Tutsi “Cockroaches”. The weapon of choice is an inexpensive, easily obtained machete.

The film tells the story of this ethnic cleansing through the eyes of Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle), a shrewd hotel manager at the posh Hotel Des Milles Collines in the capital city of Kigali. He operates in a world of the wealthy and powerful and sees to it that his guests are well taken care of – the finest Scotch and Cuban cigars are given, not sold.

Favors beget favors and Paul’s ability to negotiate has put him in good standing with those who frequent his establishment – Hutu army generals, United Nations Colonels, news crews and people of influence.

They are his friends, or at least that’s what he believes. Paul is an everyman, making his way the best he knows how. He understands the political and racial tensions in his country, but chooses to remain neutral. He carefully plays both sides to further his position and benefit his family, always keeping a watchful eye on the world around him, knowing the powder keg could blow at any time.

When the massacre begins, Paul, a Hutu, is forced to use his skills of persuasion and negotiation to protect his Tutsi wife, Tatiana (Sophie Okonedo), and his family. He is firm in his belief that family comes before anything or anyone else. But, when those in need come to him for help, he finds he cannot refuse.

His gesture to aid a few outside his family quickly escalates, as refugees from both tribes flood into the hotel seeking what little protection the compound and the few United Nations peacekeepers, led by Col. Oliver (Nick Nolte), can provide. Paul calls in every favor he can and, on more than one occasion, unselfishly puts himself between the killers and his hotel “guests”. Amazingly, through all the scares and near misses, Paul Rusesabagina manages to shepherd 1,268 lives to safety. Truly remarkable.

Terry George (Hart’s War, The Boxer, In the Name of the Father) and co-writer Keir Pearson are to be commended on their script. The characters are skillfully and fully developed, the film is tense, but not relentless, and they don’t pull punches in pointing fingers at those who stood by and did nothing.

In addition, they chose to build tension using all the terrifying elements of the genocide, but left out the disturbingly graphic acts that would have limited the audience and the focus of the film. Some have criticized this decision for diminishing the full impact of the atrocities, but in my view they made the wise choice.

Don Cheadle has always been a fantastic actor, but this role solidifies him as a major force in the film industry. His portrayal of Rusesabagina is powerful. He is able to show every side of this average man, as he is pulled by the events around him into the role of savior.

Cheadle received his first Academy Award nomination for this role. Sophie Okonedo deserves note as Rusesabagina’s wife. She played her part with strength, humor and dignity. Nick Nolte, as usual, is gritty and tough as the powerless peacekeeper, bound by rules he doesn’t agree with. And, Joaquin Phoenix is worth mentioning as a caring cameraman who wants to do more, but knows there is little he can do.

Hotel Rwanda is one of those rare films that make you sit up, take notice and ask yourself, “What is my reaction to this?” It’s clear the filmmaker’s hope is that your response will be more significant and meaningful than the apathy shown by the rest of the world during the genocide. We’ve seen this before. We know what it looks like. It’s everyone’s responsibility to ensure an atrocity like this never happens again.