The Last King of Scotland

I knew when I left the theater today that I had seen a great performance, but was not so sure about it being a great movie.

The problem lies in the fictional character Nicholas Garrigan played by James McAvoy. It has nothing to do with his performance, which is really top notch, it's with the fact that this is another movie in the somewhat small genre of showing a minorities plight through that of a white mans eyes, joining the ranks of Glory and The Last Samurai. I'll give it credit for this not being a typical biopic (if you could even call it that) but the problem is this character is not very likable. Charming and charismatic, yes, but once you think back to all the mistakes and foolish decisions that he has made it becomes clear he deserves a fate far worse than what he receives.

As for Forest Whitaker, he wholeheartedly deserves all the attention and awards he has been receiving. He turns from a teddy bear to a well, a real bear in an instant. When he is off screen you wait for him to return, his energy draws you in.

As for everything else, the movie looks and sounds great. There is tension that never seems cheated, it is only once you look back that the problems begin to develop.