Last King of Scotland's film is Kevin McDonald

Rating: 8/10 (18 October 2006)

Forest Whittaker and Kevin McAvoy in Kevin McDonald's new film Last King of Scotland display the kind of brilliant on-screen magic any director can dream of. Haunting the screen with his ogre-like frame and wickedly alluring smile Whittaker plays the role of Idi Amin, the Ugandan President put in power by the British in a time of hostility and despair. McAvoy, opposite of Whittaker, plays the role of a young Scottish doctor, Nicolas Carrigan, free-spirited and naive enough to become Amin's personal physician. Never actually seeing the violence of Amin on-screen, both the audience and Carrigan are fooled by Amin's artful craftiness. Shot in a documentary style, almost guerrilla at times, McDonald captures the true sorrow and passion that Whittaker portrays with such ease it is repeatedly scary. Also bringing remarkable roles to the screen are the two main female characters, Gillian Anderson and Kerry Washington. Anderson as a lonely relief worker, that lacks attention from her relief engrossed husband, brings a deep character to the screen in just a few scenes, and then disappears all too quickly. Washington as one Amin's multiple wives helps bring the fear of Amin to the screen in a tale where the visage of deception is lifted far too late. As the film draws to its conclusion Whitaker is unleashed and transforms into a roaring monster of a man, making the last scenes of the film almost unwatchable. We cannot help but watch the brutal African rituals McDonald brings to life in an airport terminal Duty Free shop, no less. Finally, McDonald has crafted a beautifully haunting portrayal of a man so enthralled by the passion for his country, he destroys both himself and Uganda.