Powerful and entertaining in equal measures

Rating: 7/10 (11 April 2007)

Another masterful attempt at injecting a fictitious character into real historical events and personalities, this successful film obviously thrives off of the passionate delivery from Forest Whitaker as the ruthless but smiling dictator Idi Amin, though eventually offers much more as well. It must be noted that the marketing of this movie does seem a bit disrespectful. We all know of the rave reviews and awards across the board Whitaker has been amassing for his fearless take on the eccentric and explosive ex-leader of Uganda, though all the hype surrounding his characterization has left the true main character, Amin's Scottish physician played by a likable James McAvoy, out to dry when being promoted, marketed, or even discussed after the fact.
It is through McAvoy's eyes after all, that the entire journey to Africa and eventual partnership with Amin is transmitted to viewers, and though his well received performance is completely overshadowed by the colossal charisma coming from this title role, it is slightly disheartening to see no mention of a lead actor on any promotional material, cover art, or anything else desperately trying to let us know the film is a tour-de-force for Whitaker. At the same time it is also completely understandable, given the nature of business in Hollywood...and his show-stopping antics. The Academy award winning actor shines brighter then ever with his fire-charged interpretation of the plagued leader, rescuing many of the screenplay's minor unnecessary indulgences with this commanding role in his hands. Though I would argue Whitaker's performance opts for an overt delivery at the expense of most subtlety, even at his cartoonish worst the actor threatens a screen with such intensity, laughing endlessly while hinting at upcoming terror as to keep viewers transfixed throughout any dejected operatics.
Framing Mr. Amin in a most stylish and flattering way, director Kevin Macdonald's constant use of provocative camera zooms upon the tyrant's uneasy inner space helps give the film the stylistic engagement and emotional urgency it needs, not to mention just complimenting Whitaker's great performance even more. The set locations were sumptuously shot as well, though this time it was not so much the increasingly generic African landscapes as it was the intriguing interior and exterior locations used for capturing the King around his decadent "palace", helping to showcase Africa in a different light for a change. The film may become a little too Boogie Nights for it's own good, in it's attempt at rendering the party lifestyle indulged by the privileged few, but is of little consequence to the overall pace.
What really keeps The Last King of Scotland fresh, barring the acting of course, are the interesting moral dilemmas played out by this conflicted doctor, as we watch a young naive idealist come over to Africa to make a difference while ending up doing something entirely different. It is a haunting, subtle, but completely powerful metaphor which lasts with the viewer well after the frightening screams from Amin have faded away. Though the climax felt a little mis-managed, the film remains entertaining and potent the whole way through, never betraying it's entertainment roots, yet offering much political and psychological food for thought in the process.