Quote:
Originally Posted by sephari
oh, this is news. care to elaborate?
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Last King of Scotland was based on a book by a writer that wasn't actually there to see what he wrote about. That parts that where true was the kicking out of foreign Indian people allowed to enter the nation under European former rule. He then kick them out because of the way they treated black people of his nation.
The false part.........EVERYTHING ELSE
The white main character NEVER EXISTED so all of his "jungle fever" exploits didn't happen (which a lot of white men that saw it got a kick out of)
He didn't turn to some white man and asked him "What should I do"
Most of all....read this review and you will see what I'm talking about
The Last King Of Scotland
Review by Margaret Pomeranz
THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND is an unlikely title for a film about the Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, but the Scottish connection is established right at the beginning of the film as the young, newly graduated doctor, Nicholas Garrigan, (JAMES McAVOY), makes his way to the wilds of the African country in search of adventure. And it’s there he accidentally meets and falls under the spell of the charismatic dictator.
Seduced to the capital by Amin, (FOREST WHITAKER), away from the charms of his colleague’s wife, played by GILLIAN ANDERSON), Nicholas is ensconced in Amin’s compound as his personal physician, where he leads the high life.
Only gradually does it become obvious that there is a very dark side to his benefactor.
This is director Kevin McDonald’s first foray into fiction after the excellent documentaries ONE DAY IN SEPTEMBER and TOUCHING THE VOID and it is a rivetting, tense experience as the horror of Amin is revealed, as is the frightening aspect of his power.
Forest Whitaker plays the complex Amin with demonic relish. He deserves the accolades he’s received. And James McAvoy brings an insouciance to his role as the rather unlikeable, callow and naïve Nicholas.
And speaking of naïve, I felt pretty much that way when I realised it wasn’t based on a true experience but was in fact a product of the imagination of novelist Giles Foden.
But as a story about the potential for damage by gullible youth seduced by riches and power, it’s certainly a cautionary tale.
Further comments
MARGARET: David?
DAVID: Yes, it is and a good one too. I think it derives quite a bit of its strength from the fact that it was actually filmed in Uganda itself.
So often films like this are filmed, you know, somewhere else standing in for the place, but this was actually filmed there.
I think that lends it a kind of level of reality which is quite impressive. I guess that's McDonald's documentary background that persuades you...
MARGARET: Yes, because he creates that world around Amin very convincingly.
DAVID: That's it. That's so important.
MARGARET: I think it's really one of the strengths of the film.
DAVID: I agree with you about Forest Whitaker. I think he - it's amazing, actually, because he's so distinctive-looking himself, that he totally convinces you. If you've seen documentary footage of Amin himself, the real Amin, they begin to look alike. You begin to think this is him.
MARGARET: Well, you start to think Amin's the imitator.
DAVID: Yes, that's right. Extraordinary.
MARGARET: What's interesting also is that Peter Morgan, who wrote THE QUEEN, is co-writer of this.
DAVID: Yes.
MARGARET: He has written two characters that are Oscar nominated. I mean, he's really a good writer as well.
DAVID: He's a very good writer, and this is a very good film, I think.
At the Movies: The Last King Of Scotland
speaks for itself doesn't it.....
Samuel Jackson 
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