by rick grant rickgrant01@comcast.net
A Rated R 123 min
Forest Whitaker seemed tongue tied when the Hollywood Foreign Press Association presented him the “Best Actor” Golden Globe Award. Two important factors make this film an Oscar worthy candidate. First, Forest Whitaker turned in his best performance to date as the twisted strong man Idi Amin. Second, James McAvoy is riveting as the young doctor Nicholas Garrigan, turning his humanitarian mission into a rare opportunity to grab wealth and fame. Set against Amin’s brutal campaign of torture and genocide, McAvoy and Whitaker are riveting as opposing forces in this Shakespearian drama.
On a whim, picking Uganda from a spin of the globe, young Scottish Dr. Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy) travels to this third world nation during the tumultuous reign of Idi Amin. He goes there to do humanitarian work with Sarah Merrit (Gillian Anderson) and her husband Dr. Merrit (Adam Kotz). Clearly, the need for doctors is pathetically inadequate. James is thrust into the hectic life of a field doctor, overwhelmed by patients. James is shocked by what he sees–extreme poverty, malaria, and other treatable illnesses.
At first, James is content to do this important work. Ah, but he develops a crush on Sarah and he makes it clear he was willing to ignore her married status and have an affair with her. She’s obviously interested but resists his romantic overtures. He’s just a randy bloke on a mission and there are plenty or available women both white and black in Uganda. He’s cocky, smart, and an opportunist which comes into play in a random circumstance.
Director by Kevin Macdonald adapted a screenplay by Peter Morgan. The Last King Of Scotland is based on a novel by Giles Foden, the setting shifts quickly from James’ hum-drum life in Scotland to the exotic sweaty environs of Uganda. The development of Anderson’s character Sarah and her husband was incomplete, leaving a hole in the story. However, they disappear from the film quite early, wasting the considerable talents of Anderson and Kotz.
Nicholas lands in the country just as Idi Amin takes over. The people are sick of wars and strife. They have endured one coup d’etat after another. This time, Idi Amin stream rolls into power as a smiling bombastic king-like figure, promising reform and change. Of course, like all the other then deposed leaders, he soon goes mad with power and again the people suffer.
On a mission in the field, James encounters Amin’s motorcade. His car has been in an accident, and he has injured his hand. James immediately goes to his aid. His car hit a cow which is moaning in pain. So Nicholas grabs Amin’s gun and shoots the poor cow. Amin is impressed by Nicholas’ fearless behavior. So they strike up a conversation and when Amin finds out Nicholas is from Scotland, he is further impressed. Amin identifies with the Scottish struggles for autonomy. Nicholas dresses Amin’s hand and leaves. Later he gets a call to come to Amin’s palace compound.
As a consequence of the previous circumstances, the two hit it off. Amin invites Nicholas to be his personal physician. For young Nicholas, it’s a no-brainer. The pay is great and he gets a plush house in which to live, with his choice of beautiful women. Yes, womanizing is Nicholas’ biggest weakness.
Nicholas’ deal with the devil becomes his undoing as Amin ascends into psychotic paranoia, going on an indiscriminate killing spree. Suddenly, Nicholas realizes he is trapped in Amin’s web, with no way out. How he deals with this untenable and deadly position sets up the tension as events escalate beyond Nicholas’ control.
This story is based on true occurrences of Amin’s bloody rule, but by adding a fictionalized character, Nicholas. Novelist Foden was able to create an engaging narrative through protagonist Nicholas. Yes, Amin’s real physician was Scottish, but Foden expanded on his motivations to make an exciting story. As Amin’s madness spreads into genocide, the country is exploding with fear.
This is a compelling film showcasing Forest Whitaker’s giant talent. It could do well at the box office if Fox gets behind it. Also, with Whitaker’s win of a Golden Globe, the film will have a second life.
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