"The Last King of Scotland" was impressive but Forest Whitaker's blustery, one-note performance in the title role was not. I fail to see what all the hoopla has been about. James McAvoy, the young man who played the Scots doctor, was the heart and soul of the movie, and he played it extremely well. Hard to believe that he was the exceptionally creepy faun in "Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe." I still haven't gotten over that faun, ugh, so much pale white, goose-pimpled flesh.
At any rate, "The Last King of Scotland" is very good and I recommend it.
But I cannot concur with awarding an Oscar, should it come to that, to Forest Whitaker. Like Helen Mirren in "The Queen," he plays the title character. But unlike Mirren, his performance is not touched with subtley and nuance as her's was. Perhaps it can be said that Amin was anything but subtle, yet nevertheless, an actor has to be able to show more than one side, one aspect of a character. I didn't see that with Whitaker.
But do see the movie. It's an eye opener.
For what it's worth....I haven't seen 3 of the 5 best actor nominees. Of those I've seen, I'd give the Oscar to DiCaprio, but for "The Departed" over "Blood Diamond," for which he's nominated. However, I'd give it to DiCaprio in "Blood Diamond" over Whitaker in "The Last King of Scotland."
Reading is freedom.
The mind soars, no earthly cares,
no limitations.
A Maggers Haiku, 2005
Years ago my mother used to say to me... "In this world, Elwood, you can be oh so smart or oh so pleasant."
Well, for years I was smart.
I recommend pleasant.
You may quote me.
Elwood P. Dowd