The Last King of Scotland
First things first: is Forest Whitaker…okay? I mean, he’s a fine actor. He won an award or two this season, and accepted graciously each time. But that’s not what I’m asking. What I’m asking is, is he okay? Do his stuffed animals talk back to him? Is he…likely to order a massive killing spree in Africa, as far as we know? I’m sorry to ask. It’s just that after seeing his performance in The Last King of Scotland, I’m inclined to wonder.
Whitaker really is the main event in The Last King of Scotland. James McAvoy does a fine job as the main character, a young Scottish doctor who finds himself serving as Idi Amin’s personal physician, but it’s Whitaker who’s really showing off. He’s good–frighteningly good–at being slightly unhinged: not obviously, Anthony Hopkins psychotic, but just a little too exuberant to be really under control. He’s the kind of exuberant that might, say, order the deaths of a crowd of people in the same way that he orders his orange juice at breakfast. He marches around, alternately flattering and threatening people into submission (”You are my closest advisor!”), laughing too loudly, and letting his inner crazy shine through just a little bit too often to be a really convincing sane person. It’s unnerving to watch, but it’s still impressive.
Thankfully, Whitaker isn’t the only bright (?) spot in the film. It’s well scripted and well filmed, suspenseful but not action-film-y. The art direction is practically flawless; art director Joannah Stutchbury evokes 1970s Africa without creating anything too theatrical. McAvoy gives a strong performance, and it’s always good to see Gillian Anderson around. Everything here is surprisingly watchable, depending on your appetite for African dictator films; it’s a fast, entertaining movie that manages to not be too off-putting. (That’s Whitaker’s job, sort of.)
The Last King of Scotland, Forest Whitaker, James McAvoy, Gillian Anderson, Uganda, Idi Amin, movie review
March 27th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
I haven’t see Last King of Scotland yet, but Forest Whitaker is supremely creepy in “The Shield.”
March 27th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
I don’t even think I knew he was on The Shield. I know FX is supposed to have some really good shows, but I just can’t do it. Even though I like Glenn Close and secretly think Dirt looks strangely intriguing.
March 30th, 2007 at 4:55 am
It’s all about the lazy eye. That’s what makes him look crazy.
March 30th, 2007 at 9:35 am
There is nothing wrong with stuffed animals talking back to you.