Review of The Devil's Double (2011) by Kirk H — 30 Dec 2012

Directed by Lee Tamahori (Mulholland Falls (1996), Along Came a Spider (2001) and Die Another Day (2002)), this tells the alleged true story of one side of the oppressive Iraqi regime. While there has been criticism from a few who claimed that the events depicted 'never happened', who cares? It makes for an entertaining and exciting film with two good performances from it's lead.

In 1987, Iraqi soldier Latif Yahia (Dominic Cooper) is called upon to become a "fedai" ("body double") for Uday Hussein (Cooper again), son of Saddam Hussein (Philip Quast). Latif initially refuses, but when his family are threatened, he has no choice but to comply.

He has access to everything, Uday's cars, women and money, all he has to do is do everything Uday or Saddam commands. But, Latif becomes disturbed by Uday's behaviour, like murdering his father's guards who offend him and kidnapping and raping a 14 year old schoolgirl.

When the first Gulf War hits in 1990, Latif has a change of heart and he wants out. Cooper gives two great performances, Uday is an insane yet jovial murderer, while Latif is quiet, shy, brooding. Tamahori has redeemed himself with this film after a decade of duffers.

It shows that the absolute corruption of absolute power, and that money and wealth doesn't make you immortal. But, it shows a way of life that's long gone, thank god.