Blood Diamond

Blood Diamond is the sort of film that could easily get bogged down in its inherent worthiness. A deeply political look at the true cost of conflict diamonds set against the backdrop of the brutal civil war in Sierra Leone? Why, it’s got Oscar potential written through it in shiny precious stones.

Happily, while the film makes some interesting political and moral points and, yes, kept the Academy happy this week, director Edward Zwick (Glory, The Last Samurai) also knows enough about audience-pleasing to keep the story rolling.

Leonardo DiCaprio is South African mercenary and smuggler Danny Archer, and the excellent Djimon Hounsou is Solomon, a Mende fisherman who loses his son to rebel forces. Archer is the main focus – all dubious morality and weary cynicism – but it is Solomon who holds the key to both men’s redemption: the location of a rare and hugely valuable pink diamond.

For Danny, that diamond represents his ticket to freedom. For Solomon, Danny represents his best chance of safety and being reunited with his family. And both will need American journalist Maddy (Jennifer Connelly) if they’re to survive the cross-country trip to find the life-changing stone.

A load of hoary old clichés then? Yes, basically, but the performances are great – both DiCaprio and Hounsou have Oscar nods - the big themes are so important and Zwick couldn’t make an ugly movie if he tried. Highly watchable – and run through with an admirable sense of justice to boot.