Hotel Rwanda

  • Review Date: April 10, 2005
  • PG-13
  • Genre: Drama
  • 2004
 Review

Common Sense Media says

Excellent but disturbing film is too intense for kids.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie includes a realistic, though mostly non-graphic, depiction of genocide and compellingly portrays the sense of horror and insanity. Characters drink, smoke, and use some mild language.

  • Not applicable.
  • Intense and constant peril, machetes and guns, dead bodies, non-graphic violence, characters beaten and killed.
  • Not applicable.

What's the story?

HOTEL RWANDA reveals the story of Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle), manager at a luxury hotel and the man who always knows what it took to get things done and survive in an explosive political situation. Two ethnic groups, the nomadic Tutsis (also known as Watutsis) and the agricultural Hutus had been pitted against each other by the white Belgian settlers, who literally measured skin tone and nose width to elevate the Tutsis to preferred positions. When the conflict exploded into violence in 1994, the Hutus began a full-scale slaughter of over 800,000 Tutsis and any Hutus who supported them. Amidst this madness, Rusesabagina hid more than 1000 Tutsis in his hotel. Using the same skills that made him successful as a hotel manager, he cajoles, barters, and bluffs his way into keeping them safe, and keeps hoping for help from the UN or the US.


Is it any good?

 

Cheadle is infinitely moving as Rusesabagina and Sophie Okonedo is quietly magnificent as his wife. The sensitivity of their performances is matched by the script and direction, which make their points, both personal and political, with grace, not bitterness.

Like Schindler's List, this film takes us deeply into the horror of one of the 20th century's greatest tragedies by allowing us to focus on the illumination cast by one small story of grace, courage, and humanity.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about about the slaughter in Rwanda and how the role of the UN and other nations is determined. Families could also talk about the way that an ordinary man became capable of extraordinary courage. How do we know what we would do? How do we make sure we do the right thing?


This review was written by Nell Minow
Adult
April 9, 2008
 
I Loved It!
This movie show how deep the human heart is when it comes to helping others and walking in Love, no matter what the cost.

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
ultimately the film is about our choices as human beings
The message of the movie is that even in in the most horrible and uncontrolled environment, a man can choose to live decently and honorably if he so chooses. The protagonist is an absolute inspiration.

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Parent of 15 year old
July 24, 2010
 
Moving but Harsh...
Hotel Rwanda is a stark and moving portrait of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. It is an excellently made movie, but can be rough for even adults to watch at some points. That said, the positive messages of hope, sacrifice, and love make it a must-see movie for teens and their parents. Violence consists of almost constant brutal, but not extremely graphic, massacres of innocents, plus verbal descriptions of the murders of children. Language is compromised of one f word, plus several milder profanities. There is no actual sex, but we briefly see several nude Tutsi women who are being held as sex objects for Hutu men. There Is lots of drinking and use of bribery with beer.

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
The Best
I rented this thinking it would just be another action packed movie with no story line but it turned out to be one of the best best movies I've ever seen. It was kind of scary because innocent people were dying and nobody was doing anything about it. It is kind of sad and it there are some very suspenseful parts. I think if kids can handle the violence and the laguage then they should be able to watch this. 10 and up

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Kid, 13 years old
February 11, 2010
 
Very good!
Really good but kinda violent but hey u know i watched schindelers lisr!

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Teen, 17 years old
September 26, 2010
 
Beautiful movie.
I loved this movie. It made me cry, but its the truth about the genocide in Rwanda.

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Parent of 4, 6, 15, and 19 year old
April 20, 2009
 
Important, but an emotional journey
This is an incredibly emotional movie.

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Teen, 17 years old
April 9, 2008
 
Good Movie But very Violent
Suspensful and Freaky but good

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
U HAVE TO WATCH THIS AMAZING MOVIE!
Wow. This was one of the best movies ive seen. Amazing plot and Acting. The movie offers lots of different emotions. It talks about a genocide so its very violent and very sad but its awsome how this movie was entertaining as it was educational. Watch this movie, its a no brainer.

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This review was written by Nell Minow
Studio:MGM/UA
Director:Terry George
Cast:Don Cheadle, Nick Nolte, Sophie Okonedo
Genre:Drama
Run time:115 minutes
Theatrical release date:December 22, 2004
DVD release date:April 12, 2005
MPAA rating:PG-13
MPAA explanation:violence, disturbing images and brief strong language

This review was written by Nell Minow
 

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ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
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