Before this, Paul prided himself on knowing each guest’s tastes for fine liquors and cigars; he believed himself to have friends in influential places who would serve as protectors of his wife and three children should their be any turmoil. Yet, he soon realized that the friendships only lasted as long as the others benefited. Within a matter of days, all the white tourists were evacuated with armed escorts and the resort was left swarming with frightened orphaned children, displaced families and Paul’s loved ones, all seeking shelter from certain death.

Don Cheadle, of course, delivers yet another incredible performance: maybe his best to date. His ability to touch one’s soul (A Lesson Before Dying); to make one laugh (Devil in a Blue Dress, Boogie Nights, Ocean’s Eleven); to challenge one’s intellect (United States of Leland,) and to make one cheer through the tears of despair (Hotel Rwanda) never ceases to amaze. Don is so gifted and for those of us who enjoy movies, Cheadle can certainly be counted among our blessings. Additionally, Sophie Okonedo offers an extremely stirring portrayal of Paul's wife who is desperate to keep her family together and alive.

“They will see it on television and say ‘isn’t that terrible?’ then turn back around and finish their dinners.” says a photojournalist to a disbelieving Paul.

Isn’t that what many of us do when we see or hear about some atrocity that has happened in Rwanda, Russia, California, New York, down the street? I do not remember much about the genocide of nearly 1 million men, women, and children in Rwanda only 10 years ago. Do you? If so, how long did you discuss it? Did you call anyone? Wonder if there was a way to help? I do not think I did anything, much to my shame; though I am not sure of what I could have done beyond pausing to reflect on the unfortunate circumstances and my blessings. I guess that would have been something. Perhaps incidents (and even movies) such as the horrible Rwandan genocide should serve to shake us up not necessarily to go to where that trouble is, but to figure out how to have an impact wherever we are right now. Perhaps...

While the nature of the movie is extremely disturbing, the atrocities are handled in a very tasteful way where we are spared much of the graphic violence and gore. Terry George, director and producer of Hotel Rwanda, recently wrote how difficult it was to get financing for the project, as well as the problems they encountered while shooting. At times, he said that he felt unsure if this movie would ever come to fruition. Thank God it did and thank God for Paul Rusesabagina.