message in the movies By Rev. Bruce Batchelor Glader

                     
Hotel Rwanda  Rated PG-13
Directed by Terry George. Starring Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo

Photo © United Artists
Paul Rusesabagina is the manager of the four-star Hotel Des Milles Collines in Kigali, Rwanda.  Belgium-owned, it is a place of comfort and luxury, a sanctuary located in the midst of a land in turmoil.  It is 1994 and the time of colonial rule is past.  When the Belgians ruled, members of the Tutsi tribe were in power.  Now the Hutus are in charge and their ethnic cleansing of Tutsis is beginning.  The hotel has played host to members of both tribes, and Paul Rusesabagina is a Hutu, married to a Tutsi.  As his world begins to fall apart, Paul must simultaneously protect his family and relatives from slaughter, placate military leaders on both sides, work with the United Nations peacekeeping force, attend to the needs of his guests, and conscientiously allow his hotel to serve as a refuge for hundreds of people fleeing for their lives.  Hotel Rwanda is based on a true story about how one man, acting ethically (and unethically, if it could save a life), used the talents that he possessed for a higher purpose.  It is a sad and tragic story as well, depicting the world community’s unwillingness to intervene when asked to help.  Hotel Rwanda reminded me of two other great films: 1993’s Schindler’s List and 1942’s Casablanca, both stories of grace under fire.  The cast is uniformly excellent (with Cheadle giving a subtle and controlled performance as Paul), the script is intelligent, and the film is powerful without succumbing to emotional manipulation.  This is one of the best films of 2004.

Pitchfork Rating: Four halos. (Hope in the midst of unbelievable odds, a tale of sacrifice, courage and redemption.)   Four pitchforks.  (Disturbing images of genocide, violence, brief strong language.)

past movie reviews