The movie is meant to show the rest of the world how they see Africa. The doctor represents the ignorance of the white Europeans, whom actually helped Amin get into power.

What appeared to be just another political movie about the horrors of an African government turned out to show the audience a different side of a ruthless dictator.

Forest Whitaker gives a career-changing performance in “The Last King of Scotland” when he takes on the character of former Ugandan dictator General Idi Amin. History portrays the man as a disturbing killer who murdered anyone in his path. What is left out is how friendly and likeable this dictator was.

The story begins with the fresh out of med school Scottish doctor Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy) deciding not to join his father's practice. He seeks adventure in the African country of Uganda, which has just overthrown their president and allowed Gen. Amin to take over.

While Garrigan is a fictional character, Amin is not. They cross paths in a minor car accident. Garrigan shows his youthful fearlessness and wins over the general. He is later asked to join the general as his family's personal physician.

The general decieves the young doctor with lavish gifts and parties laced with orgies and drugs. For Garrigan, everything in Uganda is paradise. Taking the Joseph Conrad approach, the movie shows the doctor as the white European with his ears and eyes covered up while Amin butchers anyone who stands in his way.

The movie changes the character of Garrigan from the young adventurous doctor to the servant of Amin, too entertained by alcohol and women to know what's really going on. As the movie progresses, he slips deeper and deeper into Amin's horrible world and finally begins to see the darkness in the general.

The movie mainly focuses on the doctor, but Whitaker's portrayal of Amin gives the movie its fire. Whitaker's sudden changes in emotion, from excited to suddenly paranoid, makes Amin even more of a monster.

At one point Garrigan gives the general some advice on how to win back the media, Amin dismisses him angrily and tells him that he is worthless. Ten minutes later he is mad at Garrigan for not convincing him and calls him his most important adviser. This gets many nervous laughs from the audience.

The movie is meant to show the rest of the world how they see Africa. The doctor represents the ignorance of the white Europeans, whom actually helped Amin get into power because he would help fight the Communists. The doctor sees the country getting better when the exact opposite is happening.

“The Last King of Scotland” shows a different side of Africa unknown to most Europeans and Americans alike. Besides being a chance for Whitaker to take his first Oscar, this film entertains and educates the audience about what happens when a country is controlled by a mad man, while the larger powers close their eyes and pretend it's not really happening.

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