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Title: Horrifying, but ultimately uplifting
Review: This is a moving depiction of the Rwandan genocide, told from the point of view of Paul Rusesabagina, a real-life hotel manager who sheltered more than 1,000 refugees during the 1994 conflict. Unlike the sweeping scope and flamboyant, somewhat off-putting titular character in 'Schindler's List', another compelling film about senseless human slaughter, 'Hotel Rwanda' succeeds in portraying a down-to-earth man just desperately trying to protect his family. Great performances by Don Cheadle and Sophie Okonedo render the Rusesabaginas' plight very sympathetic. The horror of the genocide is also depicted in an admirably restrained fashion, retaining its emotional impact without resorting to extreme graphic violence. The film also succeeds as a blunt indictment of the Western nations that did nothing to avert this terrible bloodshed. In all, a well-made, powerful and important film.
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