The Last King of Scotland
2006. Directed by Kevin Macdonald. Screenplay by Peter Morgan and Jeremy Brock, based on the novel by Giles Foden. Starring Forest Whitaker, James McAvoy, Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson, Simon McBurney, and David Oyelowo.
"You are my advisor. You are the only one I can trust in here. You should have told me not to throw the Asians out, in the first place."
"I DID!"
"But you did not persuade me, Nicholas. You did not persuade me!"
My friend Thomas mentioned that he had yet to see The Last King of Scotland because it felt like homework. I know the feeling. You think you should see a movie but you are not sure it is going to be fun or exciting. You don't want to see as much as you feel you need to. I had some of the same reservations about this movie, but they were put aside after the first ten minutes. It was very engrossing and it became enthralling. The movie throws a fictional character (a Scotish doctor) into a historical context as Idi Amin's personal physician. Forest Whitaker won an Oscar for his portrayal of Amin and he deserved it. He is phenomenal. He glides so easily between warmth and charm and anger and horror. It is hard not to like him in his moments of charm but there is so much to be scared of. James McAvoy is also terrific as the doctor. The Last King of Scotland becomes very much a thriller, and an edge of your seat one at that. It is a smart, interesting, thrilling ride that feels nothing like homework by the time it ends.
My grade: A-
"You are my advisor. You are the only one I can trust in here. You should have told me not to throw the Asians out, in the first place."
"I DID!"
"But you did not persuade me, Nicholas. You did not persuade me!"
My friend Thomas mentioned that he had yet to see The Last King of Scotland because it felt like homework. I know the feeling. You think you should see a movie but you are not sure it is going to be fun or exciting. You don't want to see as much as you feel you need to. I had some of the same reservations about this movie, but they were put aside after the first ten minutes. It was very engrossing and it became enthralling. The movie throws a fictional character (a Scotish doctor) into a historical context as Idi Amin's personal physician. Forest Whitaker won an Oscar for his portrayal of Amin and he deserved it. He is phenomenal. He glides so easily between warmth and charm and anger and horror. It is hard not to like him in his moments of charm but there is so much to be scared of. James McAvoy is also terrific as the doctor. The Last King of Scotland becomes very much a thriller, and an edge of your seat one at that. It is a smart, interesting, thrilling ride that feels nothing like homework by the time it ends.
My grade: A-
posted by Keith Allison at 11:26 PM
1 Comments:
He was equally as good in The Bible Experience as well. Cuba Gooding Jr. has become one of my favorite actors after seeing him in Jerry Maguire.
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