Reviews

I have two main problems with this film: The first and most important, was that I didn't connect with any of the characters on an emotional level. Although I could allow myself to imagine what it might have been like to be there, I wasn't made to feel that way by the film itself.

Secondly, was the whole 'Blighty' thing. I am British myself and cringe when I see these cliché character traits of ours portrayed on the screen.

Hugh Dancy who played Joe Connor stank. I mean badly, in a Keanu Reeves sort of way. He imparted a real hooray-Henry feel which was not contained by Michael Caton-Jones (whose Scandal is an excellent film). I know Joe's character was supposed to be like this but... it left me feeling a little repulsed.

John Hurt gave a good performance, why wouldn't he. Of note I think was the performance by Dominique Horwitz who played Captain Charles Delon. His role was the most authentic and I felt real empathy towards him.

Back to the 'Blighty' thing. (for those who don't know, Blighty is a term used by the British to mean Britain, home, but in a very empirical way) Yes, from the moment Joe uttered the line, "but Kigali's that way mate", I knew I was in for a rough time. This was quickly followed by the cheeky chappy BBC cameraman's line, "Oi, where's my f**king beer?" Oh Lord. Then Joe on the payphone in Kigali, "listen mum, this is what rush hour in Kigali sounds like..." I expected Jamie Oliver to roll up on a scooter with a basket of fresh fruit and veg, "Oi Oi! What's going'on 'ere then? On the dog and bone to yer old ma? Caaamm over mine later, I'll cook us up a Ruby wiv deez fresh Rwandan veggies... Ta ta!" And off he rolls on his 'Mod' scooter. But that didn't happen.

Yes, then the whole emotional scene between Joe and the BBC girl (she was good though, Nicola Walker) where he talks about his reasons for being in Rwanda, how he is just trying to say 'thanks' for his privileged upbringing. Again, I know this was his character, but you can't help feeling old Hugh would be exactly the same sort of self-congratulatory type in real life! The Christian thing - well, one of the central characters is a priest so there's no getting away from it but... your main characters carry your theme, your message and what was that in this film? Be a good Christian, tame the savages. A bit dubious in this day and age... a bit neo-Christian actually.

What else... oh the music. From the get go, it's, 'you will be sad here - cue music' you will be very sad here - cue music.' Don't burden me with sorrowful music without first allowing me to create a deep connection with the characters - basics of film-making, surely? The music is good, it's just its use that is at fault.

The cinematography was wonderful, by Ivan Strasburg. That guy has worked on a lot of great films over the years and he has done a superb job of photographing this movie. It reminded me in places of Satyajit Ray's photographer, Subrata Mitra. Very good.

So yes, overall, an engaging work but flawed in various ways. If the subject interests you, see Raoul Peck's "Sometimes in April", a very good film. All the character's are Rwanadan and played by a great cast. The directing is far superior to Shooting Dogs and it doesn't have that liberal guilt feeling about it. It's more African. It stars Idris Elba who has an excellent presence.