#71: Blood Diamond (2006)

Director: Edward Zwick
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou and Jennifer Connelly
Academy Awards: Nominated five times. Leonardo DiCaprio for Best Actor, Djimon Hounsou for Best Supporting Actor, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing.
Plot: “A fisherman, a smuggler, and a syndicate of businessmen match wits over the possession of a priceless diamond.”
Stock: Holding
Previous Ranking: #55

“Sometimes I wonder … will God ever forgive us for what we’ve done to each other? Then I look around and I realize … God left this place a long time ago.”

Leonardo DiCaprio is the actor of my generation. He’s had an amazing career showcasing an incredible range. It continues to annoy the hell out of me that he’s only been nominated for four Oscars and – more importantly – hasn’t won one.

The third of his four nominations took place when he was up for his portrayal of Danny Archer in Blood Diamond. Not taking anything away from Forrest Whitaker who won the Oscar that year, but Leo was just as good.

DiCaprio sums up this movie in an interview better than I ever could, “I’ve never been a part of a movie that has a social message like this on such a grand scale … it tells us something about the world we live in.”

He’s exactly right. Blood Diamond’s social message concerns our pursuit of the rarest diamonds, and the bloodbath that takes part in their recovery. It certainly opened my eyes and if you haven’t seen it, I’m sure it will do the same.

Not only is Leo outstanding in this movie, but so is his partner-in-crime, Djimon Hounsou. Their partnership turns into a friendship and you feel lucky to witness that slow transformation.

If I had to sum up this film in one word it would be this … captivating.

UPDATE

Without question, my love affair for Leonardo Dicaprio has a lot to do with Blood Diamond showing up here. And you know what, I’m completely okay with that. It’s important to have favorites, and Leo certainly fits that bill. Replace Leo with a Brad Pitt or a Johnny Depp and this movie doesn’t come close to cracking this list.

As Chris Connelly so eloquently put it, “Leo makes your dreams come true.”

Fun Fact: When Danny Archer arrives in South Africa, there are two women standing in front of the airport and he walks by them. These women are Leonardo DiCaprio’s mother and grandmother.

Hint for #70: Combine #75 (The Fighter) and #85 (The Pursuit of Happyness) and you get this film.

Peace Be The Journey.