The Last King of Scotland

This film, based on a book of the same title, tells the fictional account of an idealistic doctor, Nicholas Garrigan, who travels to Uganda to "do something different." He arrives in the midst of Idi Amin's coup to overthrow President Obote. After attending a rally for the new President, the good doctor Garrigan impresses Amin and is invited to become his personal doctor. For a time, Garrigan focuses on his work to help Uganda build it's medical resources, but he finds maintaining non-involvement in the political matters of the Amin regime, less and less plausible leading to the eventual realization, he is trapped in an increasingly delusional and deadly government.

This thriller not only keeps audiences on the edge of their seat, but also manages to remain true to the facts of Amin's reign. The title refers to Amin's penchant for the struggle of the Scottish against the British, which lead to the self-proclaimed title, "King of Scotland," and also Garrigan's nationality. The time period covered includes Amin's coup until the highjacking of Air France Flight 139, when Amin, a Muslim, invites the PLO to land in Uganda. Forest Whitaker in an Oscar-worthy role, portrays the horrors of the dictator who would kill 300,000 Ugandans as mercilessly as he reveals the human qualities of a man who believed passionately in empowerment of African people. James McAvoy also delivers a convincing performance as the fictional doctor who becomes Amin's "closest advisor."

This film is in limited release as of this writing, but take the opportunity, if you happen to find it playing at a nearby theater.