The Last King of Scotland was directed by documentary Kevin Macdonald, the BAFTA and Academy Award winning helmer of Touching the Void and One Day in September. This time out, he steps away from the documentary and into the dramatic film by taking us into the story of Dr. Nicholas Garrigan.
The film is about Dr. Garrigan, a doctor from Scotland who is in Uganda on a medical mission. While in Uganda, he draws the attention of self proclaimed President Idi Amin. Amin was a charismatic man of the people, and there is something about Garrigan that he liked, so Amin makes Garrigan his personal physician and the two become close.
Of course, things change. Amin becomes a paranoid, ruthless dictator who calls for the mass murder of his own countrymen. As this dawns on Garrigan, he looks to right the wrongs with which he has, at the very least, been complicit. This puts the doctor's life at risk as he tries to do good and escape the clutches of Amin.
The trailer looks very good, and in some ways reminds me of a cross between The Constant Gardener and Hotel Rwanda. A political thriller with strong personal implications as the doctor attempts to come to grips with the escalating danger of the situation around him.
Forrest Whitaker stars as Idi Amin, and his appearance in the trailer makes him look like just the right guy for the role. I see him in the military uniform and hear the accent, and I buy him as the general. The trailer shows a little bit of the charming charismatic man, and the ruthless killer he became. On the other side, James McAvoy (The Chronicles of Narnia) stars as Dr. Garrigan. At first he is a man of high ideals looking to make a difference, but he does not initially see what is going on around him, though it does eventually sink in. McAvoy looks good in the role, a little different than his last outing.
The Last King of Scotland is opening at 4 theaters in New York and LA. The film is rated R and is being released by Fox Searchlight. Also, to help make your decision with your discerning cinematic dollar, be sure to see the trailer and visit the official website.
Article comments
1 - Katie McNeill
I'm not sure that I'll make it out to see but it is a must rent.
2 - Diane Kristine
I just saw this, and it's a great film, though very disturbing. Dr. Garrigan is never really a man of high ideals - he's mostly naive and looking for adventure.
3 - Lissie
Very disturbing movie. Very well done. Forest Whitacker deserves an Oscar Nomination for his portrayal of Idi Amin
4 - wood andrews
i think the movie the last king of scotland i8s really a nice movie.it really potrays the true character of former ugandan dictator idi amin dada.he really deserves the oscar award