Last King of Scotland, directed by Scot, Kevin MacDonald, tells the story of Ugandan dictator-supreme, Idi Amin from the time his coup put him in power to the famous "Raid on Entebee". The events are a convenient backdrop for the fictional story of a young Scottish physican, Nicholas Garrigan, who has a knack for biting off the hand that feeds him by sleeping with the wives of his benefactors. Thanks to a cow, Garrigan (played by an excellent James McAvoy) ends up as Amin's personal physican and his 'closest advisor'. There are many stories in this film: the story of how a psychopath became the leader of a nation; the sad story of British colonialism; the story of how vile and cruel and sick people can be to each other; and the story of youthful idealism dashed. But, of course, THE main story here is really Forest Whittaker who is Idi Amin in all his bipolar madness. This is a very, very good movie with scenes near the end which are exceptionally difficult to watch. Garrigan has it perfectly summed up he says to Amin: "You're a child, that's what's so frightening about you". It is, sadly, a comment we could apply to so many of our 'leaders'.
My rating 8 out of 10.
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