Whisky And Tartan Bunnets (The Last King Of Scotland (DVD))

Member Name: kenjohn

Product:	The Last King Of Scotland (DVD)
Date:	13/07/09 (127 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Wonderful movie. Superb acting.

Disadvantages: Not a lot!

FILM REVIEW ONLY
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It's strange to think that Idi Amin, the ex-dictator of Uganda, should have such an affinity with Scotland, but it was unquestionably the case. It would appear that he developed a lifelong affection for the country while serving in the King's African Rifles, where his commanding officers were all Scottish. Indeed, he even went so far as to publicly offer to become the "King of Scotland" in 1974, in order to save Scotland from the yoke of English rule. (Heh, heh)

Hence the title of this 2007 Oscar winning movie about the life and times of Amin starring Scots actor James McAvoy and black American actor Forest Whitaker in the main role.

The movie is based on a novel by Giles Foden which tells the story of how a young, disillusioned Scots doctor called Nicholas Garrigan (McAvoy) visits Uganda, ostensibly to help the poor but in reality more to escape the humdrum existence he sees stretching before him in his native Scotland and the presence of an overbearing G.P.father.

A chance meeting with Idi Amin leads to the dictator taking a liking to the young Scotsman and offering him the position of his personal physician. The doctor doesn't take too much persuading, and it's not long before he is enjoying a lavish lifestyle and all the trappings of power that the position brings. But all too soon he becomes aware that all is not as it seems with the Uganda regime, and that Amin himself is not quite the full shilling. But by now he is so embroiled that it is almost impossible for him to escape the clutches of the mad dictator.

James McAvoy is excellent as the young Scots doctor, but his performance is overshadowed by the tour de force performance of Whitaker in the role of Amin. Whitaker even has the same physical presence as Amin, and he portrays him to perfection, beautifully capturing his mercurial mood swings from a likeable buffoon to a dangerous psychopath. In my opinion this is the finest performance (so far) of Whitaker's acting career and he undoubtedly deserved the "Best Actor" Oscar that he won for the part.

The movie literally has you on the edge of your seat the whole way through, and you never know what crazy twist or turn is going to happen next. The movie treads a fine line between hilarious comedy and high drama and provides a fascinating insight into how an all-powerful dictator subjugates his people.

The movie was shot entirely on location in Uganda, and the backdrops of its people, scenery and music lend even more authenticity to the film.

One not to be missed.

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Director: Kevin Macdonald

Starring: James McAvoy, Forest Whitaker, Gillian Anderson, David Oyelowo, Kerry Washington and Simon McBurney.

Duration: 121 minutes

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© KenJ July 2009

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Summary: A fantastic movie well worthy of its Oscar status