FAM Movie Review : Hotel Rwanda (2004)

Genre : Drama | Biography

Our rating : 9/10

Director : Terry George

Cast : Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo and Joaquin Phoenix

Hotel Rwanda by Terry George is based on true historic events which speaks about one of worst genocide occurred in Country of Rwanda during 90's and how a simple man Paul Rusesabagina with a act of courage , determination and great risk he took to save thousands of innocent life's from the massacre . Paul Rusesabagina( Don Cheadle ) is a gentle polite and a caring house manager in a Four star Hotel Mille Collines in Rwanda . Its a place inhabited by Two race groups Hutus and tutsis who hate one another so badly due to their racial discrimination and disputes over Power. Paul is survived by his wife Tatiana (Sophie Okonedo) and children, hel is a hutu by birth but his wife belong to Tutsi race .Though the tensions were high in the region , normal life of people along with Pauls life was moving smoothly without any rough patches until one fine day where news hits the region that the Rwanda President who used to support the rebellious Hutu was bombed with the plane he was traveling provoking war between Hutu Militia and Tutsi . Hutu militia radio propaganda blasts out messages of hate toward the Tutsis, which served a catalyst to this genocide.

The conditions in Rwanda changed so drastically that the people were slaughtered everywhere Just with their differences in identity resulting day to day life a living hell on earth with no guarantee for their survival. Its Hutus are on majority and Tutsis are on their run for Life. Paul being a Hutu is on a safer ground for Hutu Militia is targeting only Tutsi people and killing them mercilessly.Paul realizes the situation that his wife and children could be in danger decides to move to his hotel along with few of his tutsi neighbors who took shelter in Pauls house for safety. Mille Collines being a four star hotel occupied mostly by foreign nationals was given a UN Security patrol round the clock to safeguard them. Boss of this Hotel decides to leave the country temporary for the mounting pressure in the region and hands over complete responsibility to Paul for managing the hotel .Paul brought all the refugees to the hotel and gave them the much needed shelter while UN Troops protecting the gates of the hotel. He also paid the bribe to one of Hutu militia official when he discovers that Paul is helping the Tutsi. Things take a turn when UN calls back his force along with evacuating only the foreign national living there leaving the others orphaned.

The one last hope for the refugees also diminished with no help outside arrived. More and More people young n old start coming to the hotel to take shelter and Paul invites them all whole heartedly even though the hotel doesn't have much room to accommodate all .The day arrives when UN Start their evacuation plan ,that feels so bad to see when the white people leave the hotel with act of selfishness leaving the other struggle there who has every reason to live in this earth just like any other. Their Hope , trust all vanished and its now only Paul whom they can trust. Its is also sad to see the reluctance of western world to help the people in this situation and No care attitude of the outside world which resulted in a million deaths in a span of three months. UN Reporter who stays at the hotel shoots the horrific incidents slaughtering of Tutisi people by Hutu .When paul gets to know about it informs reporter that the video might help getting outside intervention when telecast-ed , the reply from the reporter was " "If people see this footage, they'll say, 'Oh my God, that's horrible,' and then go on eating their dinners." which was touching , questioning our inner soul leaving us ashamed for being silent to the situation which demands people attention.With most of damage done resulting in half of Rwanda population dead , UN Force return Rwanda to help with pressure form various embassy around the world. Paul also manages to get hold of top official in Hutu Militia for help with evacuation plan from the killing zone. The rest of the movie is about how Paul manage to save life's of many by working with the UN Officials n Hutu militia person and shows how far he goes to protect these so many innocent life's from the hands of Blood thirsty rebels.

Terry George manages to convey this historic events with perfection, one of worst genocide world had ever seen. The toughest is to make biographical move and Terry George perfectly crafted this movie while he also managed to avoid all the bloody graphic contents of the massacre carefully. It doesn't create much impact on the movie though he delivered the message brilliantly which he intended to..This movie provokes lots of questions within us , asking every soul living on earth to realize how shameful we were to turn our back when people were longing for help with the one last bit of hope in their eye's . But saying that , this movie is definitely a honor and tribute to the one brave hero who stepped in when everyone stepped out. No wonder why the title quote of the movie says " When whole world closed its eye , Paul opened his harm to help the needy " . Its these situation which brings the real Hero Out. its a act of humanity , selflessness which doesn't come much easily without courage.FAM Salutes the real Hero Paul Rusesabagina and Mourns for many Lives lost on this genocide . Don Cheadle has lived to the character , did a splendid job with his onscreen performance. Don did work with th real Paul Rusesabagina to understand his life better and the importance of the events which definitely could have helped him greatly. The scene when he shivers after seeing thousands of dead bodies near the river all over the road was touching , disturbing , a tear dropping one.

FAM Punch Line : Biographical movies are always had to be watched to better understand the world we are living in. This movie will touch you by heart , disturb you so much that it will take some time to digest it. An excellent historic film beautifully narrated down to the finest details with much amazing , mind blowing onscreen performance by Don Cheadle leaving you with one hell of a unique experience which will stay with you for ever.This is one among few movies which can create a great impact in your life just like Motorcycle diaries , Schindler List leaving you to see things around in a different perspective. Don't wait , if you haven't seen this masterpiece yet. FAM Certified Must watch Movie