Maynard goes to the movies
If it makes anyone feel any better, murderous dictators are nothing new. A film now in limited release, The Last King of Scotland, tells a tale of a fictional character who falls into the company of the non-fictional Idi Amin of Uganda.
The story is a trifle formulaic and fantastic, but the characters breathe life into it nevertheless. James McAvoy (you may remember him as the Faun from “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”) plays a newly-graduated medical student from Scotland who has come to Uganda to see the world and maybe heal it also, hopefully encountering a few pretty girls in the process. He’s smart, and he strides with the bold arrogance of a youth who’s sure he knows what he’s doing. The figure he cuts rings so true that it’s painful to watch; it brings to mind uncomfortable memories of our own youthful stumbling.
McAvoy arrives in Uganda just in time to become entangled in Idi Amin’s revolution. Amin is brilliantly portrayed by Forest Whitaker, who exudes charisma and irresistible charm that are becoming overwhelmed by a growing paranoia. Thus the drama is representative of troubling real-world problems: The corruption of absolute power and the sad result of confronting evil with nothing more than good will and good intentions.
The broad history and view of Amin are accurate and fascinating. The mention of Scotland is a reference to Amin’s fantasy connection to another “oppressed” colony of England. Amin, having “saved” Uganda, had a notion of turning around and similarly saving Scotland. (Americans typically think of England as representing the entirety of the United Kingdom, but citizens of Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland have a different view.) Thus Amin finds a basis to warm up to his young Scottish friend.
Rated “R” for some sexuality and very disturbing scenes of violence (enough to cause me to look away from the screen; be warned!), “The Last King of Scotland” is definitely not for children. If that doesn’t put you off, then here is your chance to get a realistic look at a very charming, very monstrous leader.
