"; if(is_file("header.php")) include "header.php"; else include "../header.php"; ?>

A truly great story, but imperfect execution... First off, I applaud the filmmakers who recognized this as a true story that needed to be told. But upon leaving the theater, one can't help but feel that the movie failed to capture the enormity of the Rwandan genocide. Its tragically ironic that while gruesome violence is often a mainstay of mindless Hollywood entertainment, it is also completely muted and sanitized in an important film where the shocking degree of human brutality is central to the message. Hotel Rwanda simply ends up lacking the impact it should have, mainly because it opts to shield our eyes from the despicable cruelty committed during the genocide. The director also takes a few other missteps as well. The tired Hollywood conventions he uses in depicting Paul Rusesabagina's relationship with his wife are overbearingly sentimental. Although it's entirely appropriate to acknowledge the resilience of love in a hopeless situation, the movie did not need every other scene to be tearful hugs, with 'I love you' being repeated in a hundred different ways. To me, this excessive drama merely came across as cumbersome and served to cheapen the power of the story itself. Despite the great deed of bringing the events of the Rwandan genocide to light, there was also a moment where I felt the film committed a small but crucial act of social irresponsibility. I am referring to where the film states that the Hutu and Tutsi distinctions were entirely created by Belgian colonials. Although it is true that the Belgians used the Hutu and Tutsi division to conveniently exercise their control over the region (they used the aristocratic Tutsi to rule over the Hutu majority), historical evidence does not support the notion that the Belgians manufactured these tribal boundaries. History shows that Hutu and Tutsi existed long before any westerners arrived in the region. When the Belgians arrived, the Tutsi were already established as the ruling class in the region. It can even be argued that they purposefully took advantage of the Belgian arrival to further strengthen their power over their Hutu brothers. The West does bear much responsibility for ignoring and even causing many great injustices in the Third world. However, history should not be re-interpreted simply to alleviate any social accountability Rwandans have for their own blunders. But despite the issues I addressed above, Hotel Rwanda is an important movie. This is a powerful and moving story that easily overcomes its occasionally incompetent directing. Don Cheadle delivers an emotionally charged yet properly subdued performance wholly worthy of recognition. There are a couple heart-wrenching scenes, such as a contingent of UN commandos escorting westerners to safety even as they abandon Rwandan refugees and children to their fate, that should leave you with an impression for a long time to come. This film rightfully celebrates the immeasurable heroism of Paul Rusesabagina, and serves as a heartfelt warning against ethical complacency.