Blood Diamond

It’s one in the morning and I just got home a few minutes ago.  Dolly, Jenny and I watched the movie Blood Diamond tonight.  When I saw the trailer a month ago, I didn’t want to watch it because it stars Leonardo DiCaprio and I am not very fond of him.  So I had hesitations about viewing this movie.  Then it started showing in theaters and for those who’ve seen it, everyone said it’s actually not bad. My curiosity peaked a little so I went to my favorite Internet Movie Database and read the review.  After that, there was no doubt in my mind I should consider it regardless of whether Leo was my type or not.

If there was one person who is more of a movie addict than me, hands down it’s Dolly.  I’ve never met a person who is as passionate of the silver screen as this lady is.  She is my best bet for a marathon movie day and we had our share of more than a handful memories spent on all-day Mondays sitting inside a movie theater in Taipei.  But today is special, because Jenny is joining us.  A good friend who shares countless crazy and insightful conversations with us, and not to mention my loyal shopping and tea-time companion.  After a light dinner at Barista, we had to pull ourselves out from our engrossing tête-à-tête and head for the theater.  I sat in the middle with Jenny who is a decade older than me on my left and Dolly who is three decades older than me on my right.  The moment the motion picture started, we were all in our own world. 

It’s gripping; Africa always holds such a mystery that’s hard to explain.  Leo comes out and starts to speak in this accent that is convincing.  I cant deny how flawless he can deliver his lines at just the right timing making it sound so natural and even funny when he hits the punch line. “TIA. Yeah.”  Djimon Hounsou is also a very impressive actor. We were transfixed by his mesmerizing performance and the actions scenes were heart pounding.  Then somewhere between middle-to-the-end-part of the movie, I found myself handing a piece of tissue to Dolly and then to Jenny, as they shed tears on some of the touching scenes.  Needless to say, I was crying too!

Blood Diamond is a great true-to-life film that speaks of what a small piece of shining stone can do to peoples’ lives, how much would one risk to own it, and how many clientele around the world are blinded and pay millions; by a piece of dazzling gem that might have shed a blood or two before reaching its perfect cut and sparkle.

After the movie, the three of us found a place to sit, talk and reflect about what we have just watched and more.  While enjoying a drink or two, I looked at my friends; now laughing from our chitchats and smilingly I wondered:  Who needs a ‘diamond’? When you’ve got extraordinary friends whose value can’t be bought or even be replaced by all the precious glitter and money in the world.