Kudos To Everyone Here, Not Just Whitaker

Rating: 8/10 (12 May 2007)

I agree Forest Whitaker was very good as the famous mentally-disturbed leader of Uganda, Idi Amin, back in the 1970s but, despite the Oscar he received as "Best Actor," I thought the best thing about this film was the involving story. Once the co-star of the film, James McAvoy as "Dr.Nicholas Garrigan," became Amin's personal doctor this film, like a good book, became really difficult to put down. It was a very interesting story which got better and better as it went along. It's also one you won't forget about in a few days. This one stays with you!
Make no mistake: Whitaker was excellent as Amin but McAvoy was just as good as the young Scot who found himself involved in something a lot bigger and more sinister than ever thought possible. Frankly, I couldn't stand his character or anything about him. For a doctor, the guy was scumbag, hitting on any attractive married woman he could find, willing to do abortions, was easily led by opulence and flattery, and was smug and stupid throughout much of the film with this silly smart-ass grin on his face. He almost had me rooting for Amin, which means he must have done a pretty good job of acting. too. When the "good doctor" was stupid enough to have sex with one of Amin's wives, I thought it would be the end for him. It almost was, as we saw in the movie, and I didn't feel too sorry for him. If this was a true story, the man is unbelievably lucky to escape with his private parts, much less his life. He got off scot-free, you could say (pun intended.)
"Dr. Garrigan" was a typical good-hearted-but-naive young Liberal who wouldn't listen to the older guys, looking at them in a condescending, snotty way. The best part of the film was when he needed those old politicos to help him leave the country and they gave him back a little of his own sarcastic medicine.
Nonetheless, Amin was a brutal man and much more so than he is portrayed in this film. It's a disgrace he was able to live comfortably in exile until 2003. Whitaker's portrayal of the sociopath doesn't touch the surface of the Amin's evilness, but Amin, truth be told, was also a charmer. It's amazing how a little charm can make even a mass murderer look like a nice guy.
In addition to the fine acting performances of Whitaker and McAvoy, I thought the camera-work in here was well above-average, too. This is a nicely-filmed movie, and credit should go to cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle. I don't hear much praise going his way but I really liked the visuals in here.
Are there holes in this story? Yes, especially in the last 10 minutes, but - that's the movies, for you. I'm not sure if I'd watch this a number of times, but I am glad I saw it and it's two hours of involving entertainment. It's definitely recommended.