Review by Vives Anunciacion
The Last King of Scotland
Directed by Kevin McDonald
Based on the novel by Giles Foden
Starring Forrest Whitaker, James McAvoy
R13 / 121 minutes
Fox Searchlight
***1/2 (3 1/2 stars)
Today is Oscars day and Forrest Whitaker will most likely win the golden statue as The Last King of Scotland. Whitaker plays Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, who was responsible for the death of 300,000 of his countrymen during his bloody reign.
The story is told through the eyes of fictional character Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy), a young doctor from Scotland who brings his youthful ideals to the countryside of Uganda. Nick meets Amin when he is called to treat the president after an accident. The young doctor’s straightforward conduct pleases the new president, and the two instantly bond as the best of friends. He is so Scottish, Amin says, that he can be the last king of the Scots.
The president introduces Nick to a life of privilege very much unlike the average life of a Ugandan. What Nick fails to see is that President Amin treats his fellow Ugandans differently. When the British government exposes the atrocities of Amin, Nick finally realizes the realities of his situation. He makes a thrilling escape, but only after suffering terribly.
Documentary director Kevin McDonald’s first foray into narrative filmmaking is a very interesting success, although the Golden Globe-winning movie is not without some failure. Whitaker benefits from the documents of history for being able to portray the bloodthirsty dictator with such power and intensity, he owns the film as soon as he appears.
Unfortunately, the narrative is confused and is neither character driven nor plot driven. Character-wise, Amin’s is defined by historical references and is not elaborated in the story. We really don’t know why he is slaughtering so many people or why he behaves like a madman in some points – as if it’s understood that all dictators are. Neither is the movie Nick’s, no matter how appropriate McAvoy’s portrayal is of a doe-eyed Scotsman in Uganda. We simply take him for granted as the bida, because he is the white man in Africa. As a political thriller, the thrill part only comes in the last third of the movie, so it really isn’t one.
However, whatever the insufficiencies of the narrative, The Last King of Scotland will be remembered for Whitaker’s pulsating, feverish act so visceral you can smell the sweat glistening on his dark skin.
The Last King of Scotland
Directed by Kevin McDonald
Based on the novel by Giles Foden
Starring Forrest Whitaker, James McAvoy
R13 / 121 minutes
Fox Searchlight
***1/2 (3 1/2 stars)
Today is Oscars day and Forrest Whitaker will most likely win the golden statue as The Last King of Scotland. Whitaker plays Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, who was responsible for the death of 300,000 of his countrymen during his bloody reign.The story is told through the eyes of fictional character Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy), a young doctor from Scotland who brings his youthful ideals to the countryside of Uganda. Nick meets Amin when he is called to treat the president after an accident. The young doctor’s straightforward conduct pleases the new president, and the two instantly bond as the best of friends. He is so Scottish, Amin says, that he can be the last king of the Scots.
The president introduces Nick to a life of privilege very much unlike the average life of a Ugandan. What Nick fails to see is that President Amin treats his fellow Ugandans differently. When the British government exposes the atrocities of Amin, Nick finally realizes the realities of his situation. He makes a thrilling escape, but only after suffering terribly.
Documentary director Kevin McDonald’s first foray into narrative filmmaking is a very interesting success, although the Golden Globe-winning movie is not without some failure. Whitaker benefits from the documents of history for being able to portray the bloodthirsty dictator with such power and intensity, he owns the film as soon as he appears.
Unfortunately, the narrative is confused and is neither character driven nor plot driven. Character-wise, Amin’s is defined by historical references and is not elaborated in the story. We really don’t know why he is slaughtering so many people or why he behaves like a madman in some points – as if it’s understood that all dictators are. Neither is the movie Nick’s, no matter how appropriate McAvoy’s portrayal is of a doe-eyed Scotsman in Uganda. We simply take him for granted as the bida, because he is the white man in Africa. As a political thriller, the thrill part only comes in the last third of the movie, so it really isn’t one.
However, whatever the insufficiencies of the narrative, The Last King of Scotland will be remembered for Whitaker’s pulsating, feverish act so visceral you can smell the sweat glistening on his dark skin.
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