Forrest carries the film

Rating: 6/10 (15 January 2007)

Having waited with some excitement to watch this film, I must say that aside from Forrest Whittaker, this is a weak adaptation of a good book. The continuity for starters is horrendous. We are treated to Gill Andersons rear in a pair of latest design jeans and McAvoy is clad in boxers? What's wrong with Y fronts? This is being picky, but I have to say McAvoy was painful to watch. He was neither believable nor convincing as, well anything. His was a performance of low standards. His forced emotional poses, were awful, he seemed neither able to show concern, or fear when needed. Jina Jay must have been having a bad day when she let this TV soap actor anywhere near the set. Now for the good bit. Forrest Whittaker, well he was made to play this role. He created menace and charm in equal portions for a character that used these two skills like the spear and shield he uses when we get our first glimpse of the main man. I will be very upset if Forrest doesn't walk away with the lead man Oscar, his performance fully merits first place. Now for the Director. Oh dear, Kevin MacDonald, you created fantasy where there was no need for any, as there was enough horrific and dynamic fact to spare. You dumbed down most of the Amin story and forced and MTV generation concept down our throats with puerile lines about race and international concern. If MacDonald had followed the book then he might have made a film of great magnitude, rather than having to rely on Forrest Whittaker to save the film. I suggest people read the book and do some research on Amin before crowing about how wonderful this film is. Because judging by some of the reviews we have a lot of easily pleased people out there, who don't see the world beyond the end of there noses.