Genre: Historical Thriller
Release date: 2006
Producer: Lisa Bryer, Andrea Calderwood, Christine Ruppert and Charles Steel
Director: Kevin Macdonald
Main actor: Forest Whitaker
Supporting roles: James McAvoy, Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson, Simon McBurney, David Oyelowo
Overall: 90/100
Concept/plot: 5/5
Cinematography: 5/5
Acting: 5/5
Music: 4/5
Running time: 123 minutes
Review:
A truely excellent film. Based upon the book of the same name by author Giles Foden, I was absolutely riveted by this movie.
Set in Uganda shortly after the successful coup of Idi Amin, The Last King of Scotland follows the life of fictional doctor Nicholas Garrigan, a young Scottish physician who seeks to escape his idyllic life in Scotland where he is due to join his father's family medical practice. Choosing a random spot on the globe he sets out to have himself an adventure.
Shortly after his arrival, Amin's coup has taken place and young Dr. Garrigan is volunteering at a bush hospital, helping those who need it most. very soon however he is growing bored and restless. He goes to see Amin speak and is immediately enthralled by this affable and charismatic man. A chance roadside accident puts Garrigan into position to become Amin's personal physician.
Garrigan rather quickly finds himself over his head though, surrounded on all sides by possible supporters of the ousted President Obote and by British agents seeking to use him as a tool to manipulate Amin. He is drawn into the paranoid world of Amin and soon finds himself far from where he had ever thought he would.
This was an amazingly powerful film, the acting was phenomenal, especially Forest Whitaker who plays Amin to perfection. The suspense level was done with perfection, leading you down safe and comfortable road, until nail biting fear sets in.
If you have the opportunity to see this film, I highly recommend it.
