"The belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness. "
- Joseph Conrad (author of "Heart of Darkness")
"The Last King of Scotland" is a compelling look at one of the most brutal dictators in recent history through the eyes of a young Scottish Doctor Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy). When we first meet Garrigan, he has just graduated from medical school and is now a doctor, just like his father. Garrigan decides to go work for a mission "hospital" in Uganda to escape and experience life outside Scotland. At the same time he arrives, the president of Uganda is ousted by the military, led by Idi Amin. Garrigan is entranced by Amin and at first glance, who cannot? He's certainly a charming individual who seems very "of the people". Garrigan then becomes Amin's personal physician by mere coincidence when Amin requires medical attention. Garrigan's impetuousness and the fact that he's Scottish catch the eye of Idi Amin. The young doctor soon enjoys his life as the personal physician because of all the luxury provided by Amin. Only after time, do we, the audience, as well as Garrigan realize how monstrous Idi Amin. When Garrigan learns from Amin that he cannot leave Uganda. he races to find a way out of the dictator's grip before he himself is killed and fed to the crocodiles. James McAvoy, fresh from his days as a faun in "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe", portrays Nicholas Garrigan as a naive individual who lets his trusting nature get the best of him. McAvoy does a wonderful job at portraying this individual, but Forest Whitaker is the real star of the show. It's his best performance I've seen so far and certainly deserves an Academy Award. Whitaker has outdone himself with the portrayal of Amin as a paranoid, psychotic monster who believes traitors surround him (which explains why members of his own cabinet start disappearing). I myself have never been really terrified of any character of any movie as much as I have of Idi Amin. What's more terrifying is that he existed and that more people like him still exist. So props to director Kevin MacDonald for bringing us a film that showcases one of humanity's worst. It's an effective movie that'll stay with you, even after the end credits.
