Review of Hotel Rwanda (2004) by Jordan S — 09 Aug 2013

Hats off to all involved in this movie about the genocide in Rwanda during the 1990s as it really is a fine movie. Don Cheadle plays Paul, a hotel manager in the city of Kigali. He is an ordinary and seemingly insignificant man but then events in Rwanda overtake him.

As the tribal differences fracture society and the country rips itself apart, Paul takes in refugees from the massacre and shelters them in the hotel while desperately trying to keep the rebel soldiers out.

It is a harrowing story about the brutality of some, the attitude of the west and the bravery of one man in standing up for what is right and just. Cheadle is outstanding in the lead as is Sophie Okonedo as his wife Tatiana, both performances gaining Oscar nominations.

I was also really impressed with Nick Nolte as Colonel Oliver, the UN soldier who has the task of trying to protect the hotel despite the apathy of world politicians to the situation. There are scenes that are difficult to watch but in the end, this is a tale of hope against adversity and the courage and humility of one man.