Hotel Rwanda

2004

Hotel Rwanda

Critics Consensus

A sobering and heartfelt tale about massacre that took place in Rwanda while most of the world looked away.

91%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 193

94%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 241,354

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Movie Info

Ten years ago some of the worst atrocities in the history of mankind took place in the country of Rwanda--and in an era of high-speed communication and round the clock news, the events went almost unnoticed by the rest of the world. In only three months, one million people were brutally murdered. In the face of these unspeakable actions, inspired by his love for his family, an ordinary man summons extraordinary courage to save the lives of over a thousand helpless refugees, by granting them shelter in the hotel he manages.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (for violence, disturbing images and brief strong language)
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Directed By:
    Terry George
  • Written By:
    Terry George, Keir Pearson, Kier Pearson
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $23,472,900
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    MGM

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Cast

Don Cheadle
as Paul Rusesabagina
Sophie Okonedo
as Tatiana Rusesabagina
Nick Nolte
as Colonel Oliver
Joaquin Phoenix
as Jack Daglish
Desmond Dube
as Dube
David O'Hara
as David
Leleti Khumalo
Cara Seymour
as Pat Archer
Mothusi Magano
Fana Mokena
as General Augustin Bizimungo
Jean Reno
as Mr. Tillens
Hakeem Kae-Kazim
as George
Tony Kgoroge
as Gregoire
Mosa Kaiser
as Paul's Daughter
Mathabo Pieterson
as Paul's Daughter
Ofentse Modiselle
as Roger Rusesabagina
Xolani Mali
as Policeman
Rosie Motene
as Receptionist
Lebo Mashile
as Odette
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Critic Reviews for Hotel Rwanda

All Critics (193) | Top Critics (45)

  • Cheadle, in his richest role since Devil in a Blue Dress, burrows deep inside this complex man, who discovers in himself a strength he never knew he possessed as he faces the disillusion of all the "civilized" notions he believes in.

    Jul 6, 2010 | Full Review…

    David Ansen

    Newsweek
    Top Critic

  • There's a tidiness and sense of convenience in the film's stock characterisations and button-pushing plotting that detracts from its impact. The film doesn't just contrive to contain the slaughter, but also its own anger.

    Jun 24, 2006 | Full Review…
    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • Cheadle has an Oscar nomination for best actor. But this isn't a grandstanding portrayal: it is a performance at the service of the work.

    Jan 17, 2006 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    Philippa Hawker

    The Age (Australia)
    Top Critic

  • Showing traces of the well-meaning paternalism that dogs many Western films about Africa, Hotel Rwanda doesn't go far enough in indicting Europeans and Americans for protecting their own while failing to intervene in time to stop the mass killings.

    Sep 26, 2005

    Scott Tobias

    AV Club
    Top Critic

  • The emotion comes from Don Cheadle's thrilling portrait of ordinary heroism, a performance that's matched only by the magnificent Sophie Okonedo as his wife Tatiana.

    Feb 22, 2005 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    Paul Arendt

    BBC.com
    Top Critic

  • Move past the big picture, of race hatred, arbitrary maps and guilt over what the UN and the West can't or won't do, and find the human story within the inhumanity of war.

    Jan 14, 2005 | Rating: 4/5

    Roger Moore

    Orlando Sentinel
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (193)

Audience Reviews for Hotel Rwanda

  • Mar 01, 2015
    The film is powerful and moving, but that's got more to do with knowing the horrible events actually took place -- not because of anything special about the film making (other than possibly Cheadle's understated Paul). Cheadle's acting was exceptional, and everyone else was good with the notable exception of Nolte who played his role as if he were a caricature of a gruff-but-lovable military careerist. It's worth seeing to remind yourself that this genocide really happened and the rest of the world really didn't care that much.
    Christian C Super Reviewer
  • Dec 17, 2013
    The film failed to engage me, I was told that it will make you cry, but I was unconvinced with the performance nor the direction. Sure, it's a sad story about the African genocide in Rwanda, but just because it's about a sad true story, doesn't make it a good film. Like everyone else, I do not care. The only part that I enjoy about the film is that the UN was portrayed accurately as they are: Useless in every single way, they only threaten other countries, but cannot do a single thing in combat. In conclusion, if you want to watch something that will make you cry, this is not the film for you.
    Sylvester K Super Reviewer
  • Oct 17, 2013
    Cheadle's role as Paul Rusesabagina, the Oskar Schnidler of Rwanda is spot on. Rwanda remains a tragedy that the world was ultimately responsible for letting go by the wayside.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Jun 17, 2013
    Don't get me wrong, this is a decent film, but it's way longer than it needs to be. I found myself getting extremely bored despite the interesting story. What I really didn't like about this movie is that it has a lot of loose ends, characters, mini stories, and plots that really don't go anywhere. This wouldn't be a problem, except that this happens like a dozen times. Some aspects of the story are horribly explained as well, which just makes a lot of the storyline confusing. Still a great story of individual heroism in a time of pure insanity and evil, but I just don't really like how it's told in this film.
    Stephen S Super Reviewer
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