Hotel Rwanda

A very great movie but also a very sad statement of our world.

Based on a true story, the main character of "Hotel Rwanda" is Paul Rusesabagina (played by actor Don Cheadle). Paul is a hotel manager in Rwanda who makes sure that great hotel service is delivered with style and grace and sets a high standard in his establishment. Paul is successful, has a comfortable life, and a good family. His world is turned upside down when the militia of the Hutu tribe began killing the members of the Tutsis tribe.

Although reluctant at first, Paul starts sheltering the members of the Tutsis tribe. And that's where his troubles begin. Paul has the impossible job of protecting the Tutsis and feeding them while still protecting his family and himself from the murderous Hutu gangs and mob. The military on all sides refuses to get involved. And there is no help from the government or the UN peacekeepers.

But Paul doesn't give up. He handles one crisis at a time and saves as many lives as he can. He shows incredible courage. Many, many people, when it comes to risking their own skins, are cowards. Few people will take risks in their careers let alone when facing the barrel of a gun, or in this case, machetes being wielded by madmen. Paul wins his battles by being inventive, flexible, and being incredibly gutsy.

This is one of the best movies I've seen in the last 12 months. But it's also one of the saddest. If you like or admire "Schindler's List," you will like or admire this movie and the couragious people in it. I've been told repeatedly by different people that they cried during this movie.

I've lived now for over a half a century and was born just after the Korean War, and yet I still see people around the world and in the United States killing each other. I thought in my lifetime, war would be just a memory and a thing of the past. Unfortunately, I was wrong.

Don Cheadle as Paul turned in a great performance.

"Hotel Rwanda" is available at most video stores. Well worth renting, but make sure you have plenty of tissues on hand.