The Last King of Scotland
2.5/4
Starring: Forest Whitaker, James McAvoy, Simon McBurney, David Oyelowo, Gillian Anderson, Kerry Washington
Rated R for Some Strong Violence and Gruesome Images, Sexual Content and Language
In a world where media is free (or at least the rumor mill is), everyone in the news has to be a showman. Idi Amin understood that. He was a charismatic leader; he had the presence to draw one's attention simply by standing there. and the deep dramatic voice helped a lot too. He also had a sense of humor and loved to have fun. Of course, that doesn't mean much once people realize that you're killing everyone who speaks against you.
Nicholas Garrigan (McAvoy) is a young Scotsman who has just graduated from medical school. Eager to escape the shadow of his father, he spins a globe and decides to go the first place his finger lands on (after Canada). In no short order, he has found himself in Uganda working at a clinic. That's when he first sees the new leader of the African nation, Idi Amin (Whitaker). He's immediately captivated by the magnetic man, and after he patches up Amin's hand, he discovers that the feeling is mutual. So much so that Amin invites Nicholas to be his personal physician and, eventually, trusted adviser. Nicholas is having the time of his life, although some, like a fellow doctor at the clinic (Anderson) and a member of the British government (McBurney) tell him to be wary. But the more he discovers, the more he realizes that he has to get out of Uganda. But being the President's right hand man has as many downsides as perks.
The acting is consistently strong across the board. Forest Whitaker gives a terrific performance. Amin is charismatic and likable, but he holds a frightening capacity for violence. Whitaker is able to handle these 180-degree personality changes without stumbling. He's not as forceful of a presence when he's in one of his explosive tantrums, but never mind. James McAvoy is also very good. This was his next role after coming to the world's attention as Mr. Tumnus in "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe," although he wasn't a star yet. McAvoy succeeds in a role that many others have failed at: playing an everyman who can compete with a force of nature title character. Idi Amin is an electrifying individual, but Nicholas is the one we relate to. At no point does McAvoy let Nicholas fade into the background; we're with him every step of the way. Simon McBurney and especially Gillian Anderson are good in supporting roles. They've seen people like Amin before, and despite the people's hopes for a better future, they know what's coming.
Kevin MacDonald broke into the film world with his overrated "One Day in September" (for which he won an Oscar). But the film that really put his name on the map was the part documentary/part re-enactment of a climbing disaster, "Touching the Void." "The Last King of Scotland" was his first narrative film, and it's a solid debut, but the script runs into problems during its second half. Characters are undeveloped (specifically the romance between Nicholas and Kay (Washington), one of Amin's wives), the plot becomes too murky and some sequences are mishandled.
All in all, I can't recommend this movie, although there are definitely some aspects worth taking note of.
Starring: Forest Whitaker, James McAvoy, Simon McBurney, David Oyelowo, Gillian Anderson, Kerry Washington
Rated R for Some Strong Violence and Gruesome Images, Sexual Content and Language
In a world where media is free (or at least the rumor mill is), everyone in the news has to be a showman. Idi Amin understood that. He was a charismatic leader; he had the presence to draw one's attention simply by standing there. and the deep dramatic voice helped a lot too. He also had a sense of humor and loved to have fun. Of course, that doesn't mean much once people realize that you're killing everyone who speaks against you.
Nicholas Garrigan (McAvoy) is a young Scotsman who has just graduated from medical school. Eager to escape the shadow of his father, he spins a globe and decides to go the first place his finger lands on (after Canada). In no short order, he has found himself in Uganda working at a clinic. That's when he first sees the new leader of the African nation, Idi Amin (Whitaker). He's immediately captivated by the magnetic man, and after he patches up Amin's hand, he discovers that the feeling is mutual. So much so that Amin invites Nicholas to be his personal physician and, eventually, trusted adviser. Nicholas is having the time of his life, although some, like a fellow doctor at the clinic (Anderson) and a member of the British government (McBurney) tell him to be wary. But the more he discovers, the more he realizes that he has to get out of Uganda. But being the President's right hand man has as many downsides as perks.
The acting is consistently strong across the board. Forest Whitaker gives a terrific performance. Amin is charismatic and likable, but he holds a frightening capacity for violence. Whitaker is able to handle these 180-degree personality changes without stumbling. He's not as forceful of a presence when he's in one of his explosive tantrums, but never mind. James McAvoy is also very good. This was his next role after coming to the world's attention as Mr. Tumnus in "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe," although he wasn't a star yet. McAvoy succeeds in a role that many others have failed at: playing an everyman who can compete with a force of nature title character. Idi Amin is an electrifying individual, but Nicholas is the one we relate to. At no point does McAvoy let Nicholas fade into the background; we're with him every step of the way. Simon McBurney and especially Gillian Anderson are good in supporting roles. They've seen people like Amin before, and despite the people's hopes for a better future, they know what's coming.
Kevin MacDonald broke into the film world with his overrated "One Day in September" (for which he won an Oscar). But the film that really put his name on the map was the part documentary/part re-enactment of a climbing disaster, "Touching the Void." "The Last King of Scotland" was his first narrative film, and it's a solid debut, but the script runs into problems during its second half. Characters are undeveloped (specifically the romance between Nicholas and Kay (Washington), one of Amin's wives), the plot becomes too murky and some sequences are mishandled.
All in all, I can't recommend this movie, although there are definitely some aspects worth taking note of.
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