'Last King of Scotland' review

This weighty docu-drama gives you a hefty spoonful to digest

By Ashley Harris
Published: February 11th, 2007 | 9:54pm

The Last King of Scotland is as visually captivating as it is narratively dense — it actually borders on overwhelming. But it takes a film of this stature to accommodate the enormity of its subject. The awesome Forest Whitaker plays former Ugandan president, general and commander of the army, and dictator, Idi Amin. I first fell in love with Whitaker in his role as Jody in The Crying Game, in which he uses his charisma to manipulate his imprisoner. In The Last King of Scotland, Whitaker employs the same glimmer of the eye and unnerving gestures to become the ultimate imprisoner, a man responsible for the deaths of an estimated 300,000 during his regime throughout the '70s.

The screen adaptation of the book by Giles Foden explores Amin's life through the eyes of a fictional character, young Scottish doctor, Nicholas Garrigan. Played by James McAvoy, Garrigan's story begins as an almost coming-of-age tale about a young man looking for adventure in an exotic land who becomes Idi Amin's personal doctor. Through several false moves, facilitated by his white-boy naivety, Garrigan soon finds himself trapped in the heart of darkness.

Just like the Ugandan people and the international community initially embraced the real Amin, Garrigan is beguiled by what appears to be Amin's boisterous, sensual nature and tough love charm. Whitaker does not disappoint in his jarring transformation to maniacal, and neither do the film's art directors. A montage of leisure suits and swimming pools reminiscent of Boogie Nights highlight Garrigan's thrilling introduction to the Ugandan political elite. Later, as the violence worsens and Amin's paranoia — commonly thought to be caused by neurosyphilis — intensifies, we are exposed to nightmarish sequences of blood and torture.

Garrigan's role in the film may be emphasized a bit too much, considering he never actually existed. The story diverts twice to incorporate romances that seem to contribute little more than reiterate his recklessness. However, his intimacy to Amin provides a certain eeriness that seems appropriate to tell story of a man who used the trust and adoration of his people to implement some of the most horrific violence in history. Plus, Garrigan's smiley ignorance and slow reaction time make for a poignant metaphor of Western involvement in African affairs. In turns a political drama, thriller, coming-of-age story, romance, and historical account, The Last King of Scotland is a lot to digest. I'd suggest catching it on the big screen.

Image courtesy of Fox Searchlight