superb thriller

Rating: 10/10 (21 April 2007)

If you have no idea what "The Last King of Scotland" is about when you first turn it on, then the first few minutes might throw you off. It begins in 1970 Scotland, where young physician Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy) decides to go to Uganda. That's where the movie takes off. While he is there, Gen. Idi Amin (Forest Whitaker) overthrows Pres. Milton Obote. A chance encounter with Amin turns Garrigan into Amin's personal physician. But as time passes and it becomes clear that Amin is turning as bad as those whom he once vilified, Garrigan not only starts having doubts about his position as Amin's friend, but starts fearing for his life.
Rarely have I seen someone get into a role as much as Forest Whitaker gets into this one. He makes Amin equally charismatic and scary. Although Garrigan is the main focus, it's hard to focus on anything other than Amin's switch from populist leader to vicious thug. Even though I knew about how Amin kicked the Indians out of Uganda and then cannibalized his enemies, it's still very tense just to see how crazy he goes, even as his country's economy collapses. And yet you still manage to see some things his way, as he lashes out at Garrigan for not taking Africa seriously ("You thought 'I'll go to Africa and play white man among the natives'? This is real!") All in all, I really recommend this movie, not just as a part of Africa's history, but as an example of film-making done perfectly. Forest Whitaker definitely deserved his Oscar. Also starring Gillian Anderson.