“You’re like a child, that’s why you’re so fucking scary!”

Forest Whitaker as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin

Nicholas Garrigan has just finished medical school in Scotland. He is uncertain of what to do after graduation, and so, he decides to spin his globe and put down his finger randomly – first place he lands, he’ll travel, he says. When he first lands in Canada, he tries again, and his finger lands in Uganda, and off he goes.When in Uganda, through a series of unexpected turns and events, he ends up treating Idi Amin after he hurt his arm in a traffic accident. Discovering that Garrigan is Scottish, Amin invites him to his residence, as he has a personal affection for Scotland and its people. After more turns and twists, Garrigan accepts an offer of becoming Amin’s personal doctor, a decision he ends up regretting.

In the beginning of his regime, Amin seems to Garrigan as a charismatic and charming leader, but as rebels start protesting, things take a turn for the worse. Meanwhile, to keep Garrigan onboard and oblivious, Amin persuades him with frivolous women, fast cars and a life in luxury; blocking out all the horrid acts committed throughout his country. For a while, this seems to work, but by and by Garrigan starts to slowly realize that Amin is a complete psychopath; like a child with no sense of right and wrong, and access to too much power.

The main point of admiration in this movie is the staggering performance by Forest Whitaker. Portraying Idi Amin Dada, he does a terrific job, playing the completely mad dictator from Uganda during the 70s. Throughout the entire movie he manages to walk a fine line, balancing between charming and convincing and stark raving mad. Do not be surprised if Whitaker walks away with this years Oscar for Best Male Performance.

James McAvoy also delivers a pretty good performance as the young and enthusiastic doctor Nicholas Garrigan. His deliverance of the line "You're like a child, that's why you're so fucking scary!" proves that this man certainly can act (although his role as a faun in Narnia wasn't all that convincing). Look out for this guy in the future.

Director Kevin McDonald does a good job pulling the strings throughout this biopic. His focus on Garrigans view of Amins decline works well, cleverly avoiding the idea of portraying the killings brought out by Amins men, as many others would do.

All in all, a terrific movie with exceptional performances, especially by Forest Whitaker, this makes for a good history lesson and a jolly good time, although Amins insanity may be scary at times. 9 stars out of 10.