The Last King of Scotland wasn’t even on my list of movies to watch, but my roommate bugged me for several months to watch the film, so this is the last movie we watched before he moved out. I’m glad I did! It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what makes this film so great, but the acting and character development certainly are candidates for why the film stands out. The story alone allows viewers to take a cross-cultural perspective of both government and politics as proposed by Amin. At first, we see the picture of a great leader who wants to revolutionize the politics in the country for the betterment of his people. Enter his new personal doctor (who goes to Uganda to help the citizens with poor healthcare), Dr. Garrigan, whom is hired after a chance encounter with the president. From there, the film grows and changes as if it were a lifeform of its own. We feel for the doctor as the descent and deception of Amin deepens and becomes more and more unpredictable. With the film being based on a true story, we get more context about the people and government in Uganda. Of course, we often assume about the atrocities that happen in various African governments, and we do know this is a film (things always change for dramatic effect), but The Last King of Scotland offers a glimpse into a sociological unhealthiness that plagues the nations. Those who aren’t into history, do not worry, the film has a rich plot and injects the situations as padding and not as primary. This works extremely well and gives audience the chance to enjoy a movie that has heart all the while feeling heavy. If this film passed you by, you should see it!

Trailer

• Related:
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• Drama
• 2006

80%

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

75%

Friends with Kids (2011)

75%

Drive (2011)

60%

Melancholia (2011)

65%

Red State (2011)

45%

Pontypool (2008)