Paranoid Dictator

Rating: 10/10 (22 January 2007)

The 20th Century sadly gave the world some truly evil people, Hitler, Pinochet, Saddam Hussein, all hell bent on genocide, power and greed. Idi Amin was one, his promises to the Ugandan people, of new schools and hospitals, to put the country back on the map of Africa, were mere words and lies to deceive his people. The Last King Of Scotland, tells part of the story,and delivers a powerful and compelling film. Nicholas Garrigan (James Mcavoy ) just graduated from medical school, decides upon a spin of the globe to travel to Uganda. He takes a post in a Bush Hospital working with Dr Merritt and Merritt's wife Sarah ( Gillian Anderson ). After a freak car accident Garrigan meets Idi Amin played superbly by Forest Whitaker, Amin takes an instant liking to Garrigan, and offers him the position of his personal Physician. This offer is accepted, things could not be better for Garrigan, his life has changed, he meets Amin's 3rd Wife Kay ( Kerry Washington ) and starts a passionate affair with her, but he has yet to know the true horror of Amin's regime.Garrigan soon becomes an victim of the power and corruption of Amin's regime, a man unwittingly held against his will,once employed as a Doctor, now acting as adviser and confidante to Amin, depending on Amin's mood swings. Forest Whitaker gives us a truly powerful performance, for the best part of an hour we are led to believe that Amin cares about the Ugandan people, he comes across has a charming likable man, but the real Amin begins to show, a paranoid madman. Whitaker's acting is awesome, a worthy winner of a Golden Globe, it would be a travesty if he doesn't win a Oscar. This is a film that deserves to be seen, Kevin Macdonald's excellent direction, superb Cinematography and film editing, first rate acting from an inspired cast, make this a must.I doubt if i will see a better film this year. Quality Movies like this don't come along too often, this is serious and thought provoking film making. Highly recommended.