Who cares about the unhistorical plot-lines, you won't find a more intoxicating thriller and a bolder look at history.

Rating: Null/10 (17 January 2015)

Criticism after criticism about elements of historical biopics that either were left out or added in that don't work can butcher a response to a certain film. News flash! Making a textbook into a movie isn't what biopics are about. Talented writers and directors know how to get a controlling theme or idea about someone without having to read notes from their 7th grade history class. By adding in drama or even complex characters, we're able to get an interesting perspective at historical time periods and people. "The Last King of Scotland" is based on the events of the brutal Ugandan dictator Idi Amin's regime as seen by his personal physician during the 1970s. Amin, played ferociously by Forest Whitaker in an Oscar- winning performance, was truly a psychotic human being. Responsible for over 300,000 deaths, we see the international outrage that arises due to Amin's brutality. The thing that turned people off from this film wasn't the harsh subject matter, but the fact that Idi Amin's physician, Dr. Nicolas Garrigan, never even existed. Many call that underachieving, I call it brilliance. James McAvoy portrays the fictional Scottish doctor as a crazy adventure-seeker who changes drastically once seeing Amin for what he truly is. The performances by Forest Whitaker and James McAvoy are remarkable and it's tragic to see the outcome of their characters bondage. McAvoy's character is used to show the world's realization of the horrific brutality Idi Amin caused. Through this doctor we get a heart- pounding political thriller that both transforms what we know into an unpredictable nail-bitter and reminds us of the horrors of Amin's reign. With a subtle memoriam to those who lost their lives in Uganda during the 70's, "The Last King of Scotland" is directed with perfection by the great Kevin Macdonald by illustrating history with a rapid heartbeat and an ounce or two of bold creativity flourishing with bravery. By adding intriguing shots filled with tension, he brings peter Morgan and Jeremy Brock's riveting story to live with ferocious talent. Hands down this is a true highlight of biography storytelling that educates us and provokes us.