Review of The Last King of Scotland (2006) by Cecilia C — 11 Sep 2009

This is a hard movie to say I liked because it?s such a hard film to watch. Much is made of the performance by Forest Whitaker as General Idi Amin (at the time I?m writing this, Whitaker has just been nominated for an Oscar ? we?ll find out soon if he wins or not).

But, the film is much more than just Whitaker?s brilliant performance. It?s the story about a Scotsman who heads to Uganda after medical school because he doesn?t seem to want to follow in his father?s footsteps of a medical practice in Scotland.

Once in Africa, he gets entangled with the newly appointed (self-appointed in a coup) Dictator Amin and becomes the General?s personal physician. Once the Scotsman, Garrigan, finds out about Amin?s brutality, it might be too late for him to escape.

Powerful performances by Whitaker and James McAvoy as Garrigan make this film a must see for anyone who is interested in political dramas.