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The Last King of Scotland (2007) - Trailer Included
In Cinemas: The Last King Of Scotland (2007)
Poster: In Cinemas Now
Writer:Jeremy Block
Original Novel:Giles Folden
Starring:Forrest Whitaker, James McAvoy, Gillian Anderson,
“You came to Africa to play the white man. But we aren't a game. We're real. This room is real. And when you die, it will be the first real thing you have done.” – Idi Amin
Taking for granted the audience knows the broad stroke horrors of crazed Ugandan President Ida Amin’s regime of terror. The Last King of Scotland is a fictional account of a Scottish doctor’s relationship with the manipulative dictator.
Amin was a great military leader, trained by the British and fighting alongside the Scots, he unfortunately knew nothing of politics. Funded by the Libyans and coaxed into staging a presidential coo that was supported by the African people, the film begins in 1971 with his army taking over the country with minimal blood shed.
“A man who shows fear... he is weak, and he is a slave.” – Idi Amin
On the other side of the world a Scotsman named Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy) is tired of living in his successful father’s shadow. With the spin of a globe he takes his medical skills to Uganda and arrives just as the tanks are rolling in.
Initially stationed in a small hospital outside of the capital, he meets seasoned medico Sarah Merit (Gillian Anderson) and sees good people trying to save lives.
Craving adventure and keen to make a difference, circumstances lead to a chance encounter with the future face of evil and soon young Nick is irrationally appointed the leaders personal physician.
“If I could be from anywhere except Uganda, I would be a Scot! I love everything about Scotland!” – Idi Amin
Just as Amin charmed the world media with his charisma and eccentricities, a naive, but not stupid, doctor falls under the hypnotic spell of a captivating personality and is seduced by the power he wields.
“You have grossly offended your father” – Idi Amin
There is war all around me and not a samurai sword to be seen. Dont they know I am Ghost Dog?
John Doe says:
Making sure to avoid being a “Biopic” or “Historical drama” first time feature filmmaker Kevin McDonald draws on his years of documentary experience to ensure a feeling of truth as the chronology of the story coincides with fact.
No stranger to building tension the Directors volatile documentary One Day in September, (All about the terrorist sieged Munich Olympic Games) and real life tale of survival Touching The Void were more suspenseful than any Hollywood thriller.
The pacing is a little off and it runs about 15 minutes longer than it needs to but there are still moments of unshakable anticipation.
The script suffers from thinly developed peripheral characters but it takes great pride in showing the inner workings of an outwardly jovial and empathetic leader who behind closed doors bullies others and expresses his fear and confusion with paranoid psychopathic murder that resulted in near genocide.
The screenplay also goes to great lengths to emotionally invest us in the youthful doctor that becomes the presidents “closest advisor”.
The cinematography, like The Constant Gardner features authentic imagery of the African landscape and its people, taking you out of the cinema and into a harsh alien enviroment.
It is easy to see why the usually soft spoken Forrest Whitaker (Bird, Ghost Dog, Colour Of Money) is generating Oscar buzz. His performance dominates the screen and carries a ferocious charisma that at times is overwhelming. He carries the film on his shoulders with ease and even if there was nothing else to recommend it, this is a superb example of why playing real life figures is more than simple mimicry.
James McAvoy (Chronicles of Narnia) instils his part with a doe eyed innocence that is gradually chipped away. A little inconsistent but for the most part we understand why he is not getting the hell out of dodge.
Gillian Anderson (X-Files, House Of Mirth) surprises. She has shed any semblance of the Scully character and armed with an impressive English accent, disappears into the part. Scruffy, unkempt and a little more mature, she exudes an earthy quality.
Not as good as JD was hoping, but still far from a disappointment, John Doe was impressed with how the film doesn’t really show graphic violence until the last quarter of the film.
Again mirroring real life, audience members unfamiliar with the events don’t see the full atrocities the man was capable of until it is to late.
Watch the Trailer
Here is a brief interview talking to Director Kevin McDonald about casting the seemingly placid Forrest Whitaker.
Film & TV on DVD
If you haven't seen Director Kevin McDonald's One Day In September, you can read my review of it here.. I highly recommend it.
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Whitakers performance is faultless and deserves all the accolades being heaped upon it.....the film has some great scenes in it, just as an overall work I found it a little lacking and drawn out. Still well worth a screening and much better than a lot of other films around at the moment.
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Good review!
I'll have a review up sometime this week I think.
Film & TV on DVD
Gillian Anderson surprised me too with her performance, a better actress than most.
I look forward to reading your review.
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Have you seen Gillian Anderson in House of Mirth, she is great in that too!
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