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The Last King of Scotland is set in 1970’s Uganda, which was much like North Korea is today . . . except, of course, with spears and machetes instead of thermonuclear weapons. Otherwise, exactly the same!
The Last King of Scotland (you will actually know what the title means by the end of the movie) is the story of Idi Amin who was the ruthless dictator of Uganda back in the 1970’s and is based on the novel written by Giles Foden. Although the story is based on true events, it’s told in a very unique way. A fictional character was created combining real life characters and events and the story is told though the eyes of this fictional character, Idi Amin’s personal physician (James McAvoy). He’s a young doctor from Scotland that wants some adventure and to try to make a difference in the world. He chooses to go to Uganda where he catches the attention of the new leader of that country, Idi Amin (Forest Whitaker) and becomes his personal physician. He’s fascinated with and gets caught up in the power and luxury that surrounds the dictator and ultimately pays a high price for the choices he makes. Forest Whitaker gives an amazing performance showing the many sides of the dictator - at times a man of the people and at other times a paranoid and ruthless man who slaughters hundreds of thousands of his people.
The Last King of Scotland is impressive for many reasons. The somewhat unique and daring approach of using a fictional character to give insight to a historical figure is very effective. The story is engaging and well conceived. And, Forest Whitaker so vividly portrays this bigger than life character, his performance is definitely worthy of Oscar consideration. However, the real genius of the movie is the well-crafted experience it seems to purposely create. If you’ve ever wondered how monsters like Amin rise to power; well, the movie doesn't show you. Instead, it takes you through it – you actually experience the emotions of the Ugandan people and the world at that time. Early in the movie, Forest Whitaker is likable and energetic, almost mesmerizing . . . and as the movie progresses, you begin to feel skeptical and then betrayed and then fearful, until the end when you're just completely horrified! If you’re up for it, The Last King of Scotland is a profound, enlightening experience.
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