excellent political thriller

Rating: 8/10 (22 January 2007)

Essentially a political thriller, this movie is also a warning against easy idealism. In a small way, the warning chafes against the more conventional thriller aspect, at least in the closing quarter of an hour. Never mind that: this is otherwise a well-written film with excellent production values. The photography is particularly good - not overly glossy in the way that so many such films are, and with a real sense of the atmosphere of Uganda. The editing is also very fine. And the acting is terrific. McAvoy makes a believable journey from cocky youth through accidental henchman to guilt-ridden victim. Whitaker is breathtakingly good as Amin - charm one moment, terror the next, taking you off guard. If he doesn't get at least an Oscar nomination, there's no justice. Actually the Oscar lot are generally good about rewarding actors playing people who actually lived, so he's in with a good chance, despite his movie-makers' attempt to undermine his performance in the final moments of the film by showing pictures of the real Amin. Fortunately Whitaker is so amazing that the attempt fails completely.
The supporting cast is also first-rate, as witnessed by the ever-subtle, ever-enigmatic Gillian Anderson - what a superb artist she is!