A Compelling, Engaging But Sadly Disjointed Film

Rating: 8/10 (21 December 2006)

I really shouldn't complain. I didn't realize until the credits that this was based on a novel and not on fictionalized accounts. I concur with all the other readers that Forrest Whitaker's performance is astounding and Oscar worthy. I don't know another living actor who could have pulled it off. I loved the way the film hooked you into thinking that there was hope and promise somehow, even though we all know the history. Many of the historical elements were skimmed over, as well as the historical relationship between Great Britain and Uganda (a former colony). I'm impelled to read up on this whole unfortunate period of history and to delve into the status of the country now. Anyway, to sum up this movie, I can tell you that it was fascinating, compelling in a "driving by an accident" way. You know you may see things that was disgusting and tragic, but you can't take you eyes off the screen. See this movie, if only so that you know a little about the history of Africa. It may cause you to read more and realize how sad the history of the continent has been under black rule. This is not because of race, but because it has had to compare to the European structures that were in place for a century and more. When the colonial powers pulled out, they left people unable to take the reigns for the most part. The African spirit took over and most countries have become the third world entities they were before, replete with scandal, graft, corruption, chaos and tribal rivalries. Sadly, there has not been a truly successful black-run state in Africa without a huge amount of aid from the U.S. and European powers. We all would hope that these stats will change in the years to come.