The Last King of Scotland
Thursday, 11 Jan 2007 16:00
The Last King of Scotland: Forest Whitaker is in line for an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Idi Amin
Directed by Kevin Macdonald, out in cinemas on January 12th 2007, starring Forest Whitaker, James McAvoy and Gillian Anderson, running time 121 minutes .
In a nutshell…
Gripping. Intense. Shocking. Disturbing. Compelling.
What's it all about?
Based on Giles Foden's debut novel, the film depicts the barbaric and erratic reign of terror of Idi Amin (Forest Whitaker) as Ugandan dictator in the 1970s.
Fictional character Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy) is a newly-qualified Scottish doctor who travels to Uganda in the early 70s as a medical missionary. Through random coincidence, Garrigan happens to meet the imposing dictator, impresses him in a moment of crisis and is appointed as his personal physician.
The film follows Garrigan as he is at first charmed by the eccentric dictator and flattered by the power he is given. However, the young doctor's feelings soon turn to horror as he witnesses Amin's appalling acts first-hand and begins to question his complicity in the dictator's awful regime.
Who's in it?
Forest Whitaker takes the title role as Idi Amin in an electrifying performance. Whitaker has been previously seen in supporting roles in such films as Smoke, The Crying Game and Platoon. Here he rises to the occasion in the movie's central role, bringing to life the dictator's frightening whims and fancies that resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocents.
James McAvoy's role as Dr Garrigan successfully completes his transition from the small screen to the cinema in this film. Audience members may recognise him as a cast member of This Life, but here he recalls the highlands charm of a young Ewan McGregor, ably holding the audience gripped to the film's narrative.
Whitaker and McAvoy are joined by Gillian Anderson acting as a health-aide, who meets and befriends Dr Garrigan. Kerry Washington, best known for her performance in the film Ray, plays one of Idi Amin's stifled younger wives with a restrained sensitivity.
As an example…
"A man who shows fear... he is weak, and he is a slave," Idi Amin muses.
Likelihood of a trip to the Oscars
Being released during the January award season, critics are likely to pick up on Whitaker's central performance, though McAvoy in his role at the film's emotional core, fully deserves plaudits too. Both actors may be in line for some gongs.
Director Kevin Macdonald might also be singled out for his minimal style, which is showy when it needs to be, but never deters from the performances or the plot.
What the others say
"The film is phenomenally well directed by Kevin Macdonald and edited by Justine Wright to bring out every bit of scary volatility in the most casual interactions," David Edelstein, New York Magazine.
"Prolonged exposure to this man [Amin], even in death, can impoverish anybody's judgment. The Last King of Scotland has too good a time turning a bad education into a titillating horror show," Wesley Morris, The Boston Globe.
So is it any good?
Estimates suggest that Amin was responsible for the death of 300,000 people and the persecution of thousands more. Any film covering such subject matter needs to be done sensitively, which The Last King of Scotland successfully does.
It avoids the trap of sensationalism and of portraying Amin as a kind of tragic hero by bypassing the traditional biopic formula.
It also employs a neat narrative trick of portraying Garrigan as a man blinded by his own ambition which mirrors Amin's own rise to power. This allows the viewer to understand the dictator's human element without ever having to endorse his actions.
Central to the audience accepting this is Whitaker's towering and terrifying performance as the dictator himself - an incredible piece of method acting. Whitaker says he lived the part of Amin for the five-month shoot. This can be clearly seen in his flawless role as the powerful dictator.
The film moves at a terrific pace leaving the viewer breathless by the inexorable train of events that are both strange and horrific, which is refreshing in an era where many Friday night thrillers singularly fail to thrill. And though the events are tense - at times almost unbearably so - the material is never gratuitous and always serves the purpose of driving the plot.
Viewers may need strong stomachs to sit through some of the scenes of torture and brutality, but this shouldn't put off adventurous cinemagoers keen on experiencing a piece that is challenging, educative and compelling .
9/10
Pranam Mavahalli
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