The Last King of Scotland
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Metascore
74 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.0 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 95 Ratings

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  • Starring: Forest Whitaker, Gillian Anderson, James McAvoy
  • Summary: In an incredible twist of fate, a Scottish doctor (McAvoy) on a Ugandan medical mission becomes irreversibly entangled with one of the world's most barbaric figures: Idi Amin (Whitaker). Impressed by Dr. Garrigan's brazen attitude in a moment of crisis, the newly self-appointed Ugandan President Amin hand picks him as his personal physician and closest confidante. Though Garrigan is at first flattered and fascinated by his new position, he soon awakens to Amin's savagery - and his own complicity in it. Horror and betrayal ensue as Garrigan tries to right his wrongs and escape Uganda alive. (Fox Searchlight Pictures)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Ruthe Stein
    100
    Unlike Sean Penn's demagogue in "All the King's Men," you're able to forget that Whitaker is acting. He embodies the role. When clips of the real Amin are shown at the end, it's almost shocking to realize the extent to which Whitaker has become him.
  2. Empire
    Reviewed by: Liz Beardsworth
    80
    Both an enthralling examination of a horrific time and an adrenalin-filled thriller full of wry humour.
  3. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Stina Chyn
    80
    In addition to a very engaging script, Forrest Whitaker and James McAvoy amazingly express the tension and the camaraderie shared by Amin and Garrigan.
  4. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Wesley Morris
    50
    The Last King of Scotland joins the ranks of nightmarish innocents-abroad movies, from "Midnight Express" to "Hostel," where the disillusioned hero fights to return to civility.

See all 36 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 53
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 53
  3. Negative: 2 out of 53
  1. EverrettU
    10
    Highly rewarding drama with terrific performances.
  2. avatar16
    8
    Le Dernier Roi d'Ecosse est un film dont on ne sort pas indemne, de part sa noirceur et sa violence. Non pas qu'il soit violent comme tant d'autres films traitant sur les gouvernements et les génocides africains, mais le film reste percutant par son propos. Soit une histoire d'amitié entre le président ougandais de l'époque Idi Amin Dada et son médecin personnel, Nicholas Garrigan. Mais cette amitié va se détériorer quand ce dernier va découvrir la véritable nature du dirigeant. Un film magistralement interprété (impeccable Forest Whitaker), qui évite les scènes de violence (exécutions, massacres...) en les annonçant par les médias ou bien par des extraits très courts. De ce fait, nous découvrons les atrocités en même temps que Nicholas, ces atrocités qui lui étaient cachées comme pour le reste du monde. Un peu surpenant pour son petit côté pop et bon enfant par moment, Le Dernier Roi d'Ecosse est un film puissant!… Expand
  3. SohailA.
    7
    The acting was awesome, but the movie could have used a little bit more direction/meaning as a whole.
  4. JoeAverage
    4
    Unfortunately, the film reminds me of Blood Diamond. As with that film, the makers of Last King let an seemly interesting story get overshadowed by the 'token' Caucasian protagonist and his story. That the Scottish doctor never historically existed is even more galling. The film teases you with hints at Idi Amin's colorful past and motivation, but never lets Forest Whitaker deviate the character from the cliche of the 'charismatic dictator' . Despite the constraints of the film, Whitaker gives a performance that rightly deserved the Oscar (which he gives in Ghost Dog and practically every other film he's been in). A wasted opportunity. Makes Hotel Rwanda look practically revolutionary.… Expand

See all 53 User Reviews

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