Based on the 1998 novel by Giles Foden, The Last King Of Scotland dramatizes the rise of Ugandan President Idi Amin through the eyes of a fictionalized Scottish doctor (based partially on English-born Bob Astles) who becomes Amin’s personal physician. Forrest Whitaker plays Amin so strongly, and with such manic conviction, that his performance completely dominates the film – which leaves James McAvoy’s Dr. Nicholas Garrigan rather lifeless in comparison. The scenery and internal look at the strife of the period is fascinating, but Whitaker’s rightly lauded performance is the reason to watch. Aside from some rather horrific moments, director Kevin Macdonald is quite restrained, though his camerawork (which utilizes a lot of handheld work) is sometimes a bit distracting.