Though the film, based on Dallaire's memoir, can veer toward deification of the general, it's hugely effective in illustrating the grotesque power plays that led to the deaths of more than 800,000 Tutsis.
What ultimately characterizes Shake Hands with the Devil is its cumbersome sense of contrition, but the film seems only foggily aware of what its apologizing for.
Beautifully filmed, brutally frank, and forceful in its political message - in support of active peacekeeping - this is a powerful film that's not to be missed.
The name itself is so attractive!!! I've a weak spot for "The Devil's Backbone", "The Devil Wears Prada", "The Devil's Advocate", etc. movies that have the word 'devil' in their title. Even though I may end up being disappointed by the movie, they're a 'must watch if available' for me and I just can't ignore them for
long. Isn't it ironical that one of the world's most peaceful and innocent person likes movies that include such a word in it???!!!A good but not-so-great movie about the unfortunate Rwandan Genocide. The movie shows how a General is nothing but a puppet whose strings are moved as per his Major's wishes. It displays the helplessness of a man to help others only because he hasn't received the necessary 'orders'. Though their army is equipped, its hands are tied by the "Shoot only when you're shot at" type of orders that leave them almost defenseless. Hats off (okay, just noticed that I'm not wearing even a single hat right now, so postponing the 'hats off' act until unmentioned time) to those who can keep their cool even under such stressful conditions. I wish I could borrow a bit of it.
At the end of this movie, I mentally congratulated myself for not crying - and promptly burst into tears. Dammit, stop manipulating my emotions with your true stories.
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