Hotel Rwanda Movie Review Movie Review Examples

Hotel Rwanda is a historical drama movie screened in 2004 and directed by Terry George. The film is based on the real events in Rwanda in 1994 during the genocide. The cast of the film includes Don Cheadle as the main character, Sophie Okonedo, Nick Nolte, and Joaquin Phoenix. The movie took several awards on the international festivals in 2004. Rwanda is a small African state located in the central and east part of the continent. The film shows the events that took place in 1994, when an ethnical group Hutu oppressed Tutsis and started the civil war. Paul Rusesabagina, the main character of the film, is a manager at the Hotel des Mille Collines. He is Hutu, but his wife and her relatives are Tutsi. As the war outbreaks, Paul constantly bribes the officials to save his family and neighbors and settle them at the hotel. Refugees keep coming to the building from orphanages, United Nations’ and Red Cross’ overcrowded camps. Paul tries to take care of them all. The peacekeepers cannot help them because they are not allowed to intervene in the civil war issues. Finally, the refugees leave the Hotel. Paul Rusesabagina saved more than 1,000 people. However, the Rwandan genocide took millions of lives. The film clearly depicts the cruelty of murder. It is unacceptable for the main character. The audience shares this feeling with the Paul. Besides, film is full of sympathy to the strong and good man, who managed to save refugees. The movie is cruel and unprecedentedly discreet. Yet, it is optimistic and heart touching.
The picture is supported by the strong soundtrack. Music creates the realistic image of the storyline one can see on the screen. Besides, the final frames with its numbers made the audience fully believe in the reality of the pictured events. In his story, George refers to the topics of bribery, corruption and reasons for civil war. Despite he does not focus on genocide, it is shown in a way to make the spectators feel its reality and possibility. The film supports the well-known thesis of violence impropriety. Besides, it shows the importance of individual in the course of history.
The film provides a clear insight into the life of Rwandans during the genocide. It is about survival and ordinary heroism, which means the everyday struggle and desire to be a good man. It is worth watching because of its moving plot and realistic actor’s play.