Hotel Rwanda **** (2004, Don Cheadle, Nick Nolte, Sophie Okonedo, Joaquin Phoenix) – Classic Movie Review 5347

Don Cheadle is on scalding form as Paul Rusesabagina, the real-life manager of a Rwandan hotel that proved a safe haven for hundreds of refugees in 1994 as the Hutu tribe waged genocide on the Tutsis.

Western nations leave and the United Nations, led locally by Colonel Oliver (Nick Nolte), is unable to help as the civil war explodes and a million people die.

Cheadle’s super-subtle Oscar nominated turn as a hero who keeps calm in the face of death and saves so many lives is one of the year’s most outstanding pieces of acting.

Co-writer/ director Terry George’s heartfelt, gut-wrenching film does full justice to its big subject. There were three Oscar nominations but no wins – for Best Actor (Cheadle), Best Supporting Actress (Sophie Okonedo) and Best Writing, Original Screenplay (Keir Pearson, Terry George). It also stars Joaquin Phoenix.

Terry George made The Promise in 2016.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5347

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