Mini Film Review – The Last King Of Scotland

I have just watched The Last King of Scotland; and it was incredible! Directed by Kevin Macdonald and based on the novel of the same name by Giles Foden, The Last King of Scotland tells the story of Scottish physician Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy), who after his arrival in Uganda quickly becomes the personal physician to the country’s President; Idi Amin (Forest Whitaker). The film’s opening scenes are a bit weird as it looks like McAvoy’s character is on a spring term jolly, but this in turn helps create the friendship with Amin, which looks and feels believable, and in turn helps set up their relationship and it’s eventual downfall. Forest Whittaker himself is great in the lead role as he transforms from an easy going friendly role, into that of a cruel and twisted tyrant. The film’s plot works well with this transformation too, as the early scenes of the bond between the two blossoms, only then for things to take an easy but still ugly turn, and then culminating into a tense and stunning, heart-racing conclusion that leaves an ugly taste! Altogether, a gripping movie that keeps you hooked from start to finish.