Over the next couple months – in addition to my regular reviews – I’m going to examine some of my favorite film characters and heap much-deserved praise upon the actors responsible for bringing these fictional creations to life.

First up is Danny Archer, as portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio in 2006’s Blood Diamond. Archer – a guileful soldier of fortune – works to smuggle conflict diamonds out of the war-torn nation of Sierra Leone. He finds himself in dogged pursuit of a diamond big enough to earn his ticket out of Africa for good. In the following scene, Archer and dedicated photo-journalist Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connelly) speak of his youth and his evolution from wide-eyed patriot to embittered gun-for-hire.

DiCaprio earned a worthy Best Actor nomination for his memorable performance. Watch his eyes: an obvious sadness conceals a lifetime of pain. “God left this place a long time ago,” he says. Haunting words born within the tortured soul of Danny Archer.

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