The Last King of Scotland

by Ari

There’s no question Forest Whitaker has given the most powerful single performance of 2006 thus far with his portrait of the vicious Ugandan dictator Idi Amin. This is the kind of role talented actors love to play, and Whitaker (one of the most underrated performers) uses the opportunity to show just how dynamic, powerful, intimate, and charming he’s capable of being on-screen. Easily Whitaker’s best work since his role in the terribly under-seen 1995 drama Smoke, his towering performance as Amin displays the charm, force, and brutality in which the Ugandan leader was known for. This will undoubtedly be hyped enormously come Oscar season, but at least it’s worth the attention unlike so many of their bewildering recent choices. However, a performance itself doesn’t make a movie great, and while Whitaker’s extraordinary work must be seen, it serves a solid, if unspectacular narrative. The Last King of Scotland is based on real people and real events, but it takes some great dramatic liberties to tell its story. The story follows the events of Idi Amin through the viewpoint of his personal physician, doing a relatively smooth job of mixing fiction with actual events. This film is largely fictitious, yet still presents an intriguing look at the fall of one of the most despicable monsters of the last half century. It’s a compelling film that stumbles a bit in its third act and suffers from some uninspired plot devices, but the immediacy of its story and the exceptional performances maintain its intensity.

Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy) is a young Scottish doctor who wants to get away from home and use his degree for a good purpose. He decides on Uganda, a place that meets his wishes for adventure and escape as well as professional success. Garrigan is an intelligent, somewhat cocky young man who speaks his mind and exudes confidence, and it’s these traits that make him so appealing to Idi Amin. Before he meets the Ugandan leader, he settles into a job on a small village with a British doctor and his wife Sarah (Gillian Anderson), helping the many people in need. This is all happening in the early 70’s, when Amin ousted the former leader of Uganda. The first major sequence with Amin is a thunderous rally after taking leadership of his country, with Garrigan and Sarah watching the new president charm his people and make promises for a better Uganda with real determination.

Garrigan is greatly impressed by Amin, cheering and applauding with the enormous crowd. He meets Amin shortly after the rally because a doctor is needed to attend to his injured hand. It’s here that he impresses Amin with his abilities to heal and by the fact that he’s Scottish, a people and culture Amin admires tremendously. When he notices Garrigan has a shirt that says “Scotland”, he offers to trade his uniform for it. The next day Garrigan is summoned to the President’s house for a meeting, much to his surprise. It’s here that Amin offers him the job of being his personal physician. Garrigan initially declines, but after spending the day and night in his company, meeting various people of political importance, dining and enjoying Amin’s luxuries and entertainment, he changes his mind. Amin takes an unusual liking to him, treating Garrigan as a close friend rather than a professional acquaintance. And Garrigan is charmed. How can he not be? Amin seems personable and gracious, putting a huge amount of trust in him and allowing him access to major events. Most importantly, Amin listens to him.

The first half of the film has the strongest material. Garrigan is basically seduced by this romantic notion of adventure that Amin provides him. Garrigan enjoys the night clubs, the music, the culture, the genuine sense of fun that Amin shows him. Amin showers him with gifts and opportunities. He gives him a nice house and a beautiful car. He calls him his advisor and even sends him to important meetings in his place. Amin also confides in him. He tells Garrigan about his feelings, his past, his family. He jokes with him, always wanting to entertain him and show how charming and warm he and his people are. This, of course, is all Garrigan really knows of Amin. He doesn’t realize exactly what’s going on in Uganda because he has no exposure to it. He listens to Amin, and believes what he has to say. Meanwhile, people go missing. People are dying. And when Garrigan finally realizes the truth to Amin, it’s too late for him to escape. He’s part of Amin’s inner circle, which means he has no way out without dire consequences. Garrigan eventually has an affair with Amin’s wife Kay (Kerry Washington), and it’s here that The Last King of Scotland loses some of its dramatic weight. The final act of the film is reduced to a thriller of sorts, with Garrigan struggling with the decision to assassinate Amin himself. It’s passable because of the performances, but still a less intriguing finish.

Besides Whitaker’s exceptional work, James McAvoy is particularly good as Garrigan. He’s the emotional center of the film, the audience's view on the events that unfold. Garrigan is a brash, but flawed individual who’s choices don’t always lead to the right places. McAvoy is an excellent young actor and provides the depth needed to identify with his character. Whitaker will obviously receive the attention for this film, but McAvoy’s work is not to be ignored. His work is as strong as anything else I’ve seen this year, a performance that should announce his talents to the world of film. Gillian Anderson and Kerry Washington make the most of their small supporting roles as the female interests in Garrigan’s life.

And, of course, there’s Whitaker, the dominating force of the film. What he does best is sell you on the charm of Amin. Since the movie is from Garrigan’s point of view, we hardly ever see the grotesque violence Amin was responsible for. We only see the charm he used to present himself as a true leader to the world. In his sequences with Garragin, his personality comes across with an almost child-like innocence. Then with his men it changes in a flash into something fierce and ultimately horrifying. Whitaker’s performance does indeed elevate the film into something more compelling. It’s commanding work that deserves to be seen.