In the early 1970s, Nicholas Garrigan, a young semi-idealistic Scottish doctor, comes to Uganda to assist in a rural hospital. Once there, he soon meets up with the new President, Idi Amin, who promises a golden age for the African nation. Garrigan hits it off immediately with the rabid Scotland fan, who soon offers him a senior position in the national health department and becomes one of Amin's closest advisers. However as the years pass, Garrigan cannot help but notice Amin's increasingly erratic behavior that grows beyond a legitimate fear of assassination into a murderous insanity that is driving Uganda into bloody ruin. Realizing his dire situation with the lunatic leader unwilling to let him go home, Garrigan must make some crucial decisions that could mean his death if the despot finds out.
This was a very interesting, puzzling and brutal film. The fact that it was based on a real person (Idi Amin) made it that much better. It was a bit puzzling because, at the beginning, I wasn't sure if Idi Amin was supposed to be a good guy or ready to snap at a moments notice. Now I realize it was done on purpose and looking back, it was brilliant. The brutality didn't come until later in the film when the real Idi Amin reared his ugly head. Forest Whitaker did an amazing job and clearly deserved the Academy Award for best actor. The special features includes footage of the real Idi Amin and shows that Whitaker was spot-on in his performance. It was a fascinating and horrifying film that should be viewed as a warning of what can happen when someone with a hidden agenda is given virtually unlimited power.
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Forest Whitaker, James McAvoy, Gillian Anderson
The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
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