Good but could have been so much better

Rating: 7/10 (22 February 2007)

I really enjoyed Forest Whittaker's performance in this film. He achieved just the right balance between charmer and maniac. Whittaker has always been an extremely competent actor but he has never been centre stage till now apart from the film 'Ghost Dog'. He is ideal to play the part of Amin given his physical stature and his air of menace. James McAvoy gives a great performance as well. His character goes from happiness to crisis over the course of the film and it is a very polished performance.
I have to criticise one aspect of the film. The atrocities carried out by the Amin regime were abominable but they are only touched upon in the film. I would have preferred the director to show more of how Amin brought the country to rack and ruin with his brutality. It would have been a 10 out of 10 film if it had of done this as well.