The Last King of Scotland
Release Date:
September 27, 2006
Limited release
Movie of the Day for Sunday, September 17, 2006
See other Movies of the Day
On the Big Board |
| Position |
Staff |
In Brief |
| 9/68 |
Michael Bentley |
Two outstanding lead performances, especially when they are on the screen at the same time. |
| 10/159 |
David Mumpower |
Impeccable performances make this gripping movie one of the best heavily fictionalized biopics ever. |
A movie that is poised to draw some buzz as awards season rolls around, The Last King of Scotland is based on the Whitbread Award-winning novel of the same name by Giles Foden. Kevin Macdonald, who directed the well-received documentary Touching the Void, will be in the helmer's chair.
The story is set around a twist of fate that puts Scottish doctor Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy) on a medical mission in Uganda, where he becomes inextricably involved with one of the most barbaric figures in the history of the world - Idi Amin (Forest Whitaker). Soon, after becoming impressed by Dr. Garrigan's grace under pressure when faced with a crisis, Amin has selected the Scotsman as his own personal physician and confides all his deepest secrets to him as well.
All is well in the beginning. Garrigan is feeling great about his ascension to such a high political position. Soon, however, he sees the atrocities and savagery that surround Amin's world. Worse, Garrigan feels at fault in his own way. He attempts to reconcile the wrong things he has done before eventually trying to get out of Uganda with his life.
Along with the marvelous casting choices of McAvoy and Whitaker, the performers also include Kerry Washington, who is deeply missed on Boston Legal, and Gillian Anderson of X-Files fame. (Kim Hollis/BOP)
|
|
|
|
Tweet
