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Re: The Last King of Scotland
This 2-hour+ film simply moves without much bloat to the script, and the performances by Forest Whitaker (as Idi Amin) and James McAvoy (as Dr. Garrigan) were first rate. Whitaker's getting a lot of love in awards season for his take on Amin, as he's able to move through the gamut of Amin's charisma and viciousness and basically light up the screen when he's onscreen. McAvoy provides the anchor perspective from which the story is told from, and he co-carries the film on a combination of Scottish charm, mixed with brashness and caring for people.
It's a very engaging and accessible film, and by the time you get the final reel, you may have suffered from frayed nerves from its conclusion, but the power of the story is nonetheless involving and interesting.
It took me a few minutes to realize that the blonde woman with Garrigan was played by Gillian Anderson, who could easily pass for a sister of Virginia Madsen in this film.
I give it 3.75 stars, or a grade of A-.
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