The Devil's Double

Name: The Devil's Double
Genre: Action, Biography, Drama
Released: July 29, 2011
Duration: 108 min
Rating: 52

2011

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 28 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 78 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 78 Ratings

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THE DEVIL'S DOUBLE

Movie Details & Credits

Herrick Entertainment | Release Date: July 29, 2011

Summary: Summoned from the frontline to Saddam Hussein's palace, Iraqi army lieutenant Latif Yahia is thrust into the highest echelons of the "royal family" when he’s ordered to become the ‘fiday’ – or body double – to Saddam's son, the notorious "Black Prince" Uday Hussein, a reckless, sadistic party-boy with a rabid hunger for sex and brutality.Summoned from the frontline to Saddam Hussein's palace, Iraqi army lieutenant Latif Yahia is thrust into the highest echelons of the "royal family" when he’s ordered to become the ‘fiday’ – or body double – to Saddam's son, the notorious "Black Prince" Uday Hussein, a reckless, sadistic party-boy with a rabid hunger for sex and brutality. With his and his family’s lives at stake, Latif must surrender his former self forever as he learns to walk, talk and act like Uday. But nothing could have prepared him for the horror of the Black Prince’s psychotic, drug-addled life of fast cars, easy women and impulsive violence. With one wrong move costing him his life, Latif forges an intimate bond with Sarrab, Uday's seductive mistress who’s haunted by her own secrets. But as war looms with Kuwait and Uday’s depraved gangster regime threatens to destroy them all, Latif realizes that escape from the devil’s den will only come at the highest possible cost. (Herrick Entertainment)… Expand

Director: Lee Tamahori

Genre(s): Action, Biography, Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 108 min

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Critic Reviews

Entertainment Weekly - Owen Gleiberman

Jul 27, 2011

I'm not sure what it all adds up to, but The Devil's Double puts its hooks in you and keeps them there. Read full review

Observer - Rex Reed

Jul 26, 2011

You won't find yourself yawning. It's a great double stretch for an actor and Mr. Cooper plays both the smoldering Latif and the bombastic Uday with combustible energy. Read full review

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) - Jennie Punter

Aug 4, 2011

New Zealand-born director Lee Tamahori (Once Were Warriors, Die Another Day) avoids biopic tropes, filling the screen with the jolts of a violent thriller and exploiting the few comic possibilities. Read full review

The A.V. Club - Nathan Rabin

Jul 28, 2011

Dominic Cooper is electrifying yet stiff in The Devil's Double; he's simultaneously the film's biggest asset and its greatest flaw. Read full review

Philadelphia Inquirer - David Hiltbrand

Aug 4, 2011

This is a straight-up gangsta film, yo. Spare us the phony redemption. Read full review

Slant Magazine - Glenn Heath Jr.

Jul 25, 2011

The film's first act is wholly concerned with the juxtaposition of physical similarities and ideological opposites, and Tamahori spends entire sequences upending the balance between the two. Read full review

IndieWire - Eric Kohn

Jul 27, 2011

It's hard to believe that The Devil's Double doesn't intend to be a put-on. Despite a real-life basis of its plot, Lee Tamahori's fierce depiction of hedonistic Saddaam Hussein spawn Uday Hussein relegates the character to a farcical cartoon. Read full review

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User Reviews

sarhavassallo

Oct 17, 2011

I saw this man, Latif Yahia on the tv's the last show, I thought that it was a facinating story and couldn't beleive what Latif Yahia had gone through as his life as double for Uday Hussein. It is hard to believe that there is so much brutality in this world, I heard that the movie hadI saw this man, Latif Yahia on the tv's the last show, I thought that it was a facinating story and couldn't beleive what Latif Yahia had gone through as his life as double for Uday Hussein. It is hard to believe that there is so much brutality in this world, I heard that the movie had opened in Belgium and went to see it in my nearest cinema. It was brilliant, I found it moving and soemtimes hard to take. The acting was superb and I also so proud that it was produced by a Belgian company in association with another company from the Netherlands. I have heard rumours that the lead actor Dominic Cooper who played both the parts of Latif Yahia and Uday Hussein may be nominated for an Academy award, that would be amazing! Â go see it, I don't know how much longer it will be in the cinemas here, catch it while you can.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

RTL

Oct 21, 2011

From America without love.

Don't let the title of this review fool you, I have love for the movie The Devil's Double so much love that I had to drive to another city to watch it! My lack of love is for the idiots who were supposedly distributing it! After the big hype, the great poster andFrom America without love.

Don't let the title of this review fool you, I have love for the movie The Devil's Double so much love that I had to drive to another city to watch it! My lack of love is for the idiots who were supposedly distributing it! After the big hype, the great poster and advertising why, oh why, did they make it so hard to find in a cinema? I've been following Latif Yahia's story for years and have been waiting and waiting for this movie to be finally made and released and finally when it has, you can't get to watch it?! What's going on? Â I know that Latif Yahia can be viewed by some people as a controversial figure but if there's a movie made about his life story, it's the "toast" of Sundance and invokes a "bidding war" between two big time distributors you'd think that they would at least release it to enough cinemas that you could easily go at see it! If not then why bother in the first place? Just to piss the other company off?? Come on guys, you're supposed to be the edgy, no fear company, what happened?… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

nahemasmith

Aug 8, 2011

I saw The Devil's Double at the Sundance Film festival back in January. I didn't really know anything about the story, but there was such a buzz about it at the festival I thought, why not? that's what festivals are for, watching movies you might not normally see. I wasn't sorry that I did,I saw The Devil's Double at the Sundance Film festival back in January. I didn't really know anything about the story, but there was such a buzz about it at the festival I thought, why not? that's what festivals are for, watching movies you might not normally see. I wasn't sorry that I did, from the first scene until the last I was gripped, I found myself laughing at times when normally you wouldn't, but that was the great thing about it, it was a roller-coaster ride. A gangster movie set in Baghdad in the 80's, the fact that it's based on a true story doesn't really hit you until you walk out, and you completely believe that the lead Dominic Cooper is two different people. Fantastic. Even more fantastic is the fact that the guy who the movie is about Latif Yahia is still alive! I've seen some people rate this movie with one or two stars, nonsense, 11 out of 10 it's great! But don't believe me, spend a few dollars and make up your own mind, you won't be sorry, I certainly wasn't.… Expand

25 of 25 users found this helpful250

helennolen

Oct 1, 2011

Three are three very good reasons to go to see The Devil's Double, firstly Dominic Cooper, outstanding in his dual roles as the good guy (Latif Yahia) and the bad guy (Uday Saddam Hussein). Based on the true story of how Latif Yahia was forced to become Uday's body double or bullet-catcher,Three are three very good reasons to go to see The Devil's Double, firstly Dominic Cooper, outstanding in his dual roles as the good guy (Latif Yahia) and the bad guy (Uday Saddam Hussein). Based on the true story of how Latif Yahia was forced to become Uday's body double or bullet-catcher, it's riveting stuff.
Secondly, it just looks incredible, it's hard to describe, seemingly it's a low budget movie but it certainly doesn't look like it is. I've seen some articles where the journalist has said it's a "Hollywood" production, so it seems even they have been fooled by the lush looks of it!
Thirdly, it has a really strong supporting cast, I'm not familiar with any of them but I couldn't say that I thought anyone didn't give their fullest to the movie. Having watched a few other Iraq films, I would have to say that The Devil's Double has the best Saddam I've seen yet, the actor, Philip Quast really looks and acts the part, it's incredible.
I give it my highest recommendations, if you want a movie that's not all fluff and has a great story and strong acting go see it.… Expand

7 of 7 users found this helpful70

hellen

Aug 8, 2011

Excellent movie exposing you to the corrupt and psycopathic world of Uday Hussein, Saddam's eldest son. After this movie, I immediately came home and starting reading all I could about Uday and his crazy world. Also, Dominic Cooper does an outstanding job playing both roles as Uday and LatifExcellent movie exposing you to the corrupt and psycopathic world of Uday Hussein, Saddam's eldest son. After this movie, I immediately came home and starting reading all I could about Uday and his crazy world. Also, Dominic Cooper does an outstanding job playing both roles as Uday and Latif Yahia, the body double for Uday. HIghly recommended!! 10/10… Expand

18 of 18 users found this helpful180

Tjack

Aug 8, 2011

Funky Americanese martial arts period piece.Liberal Democrat Cooper stamps his trademark well & truly.Things progress along nicely with a standard plot line.Camera-work is a bit dodgy but who cares.The fight sequences are masterfully turned out.Definitely worth a look if you like this genre.Funky Americanese martial arts period piece.Liberal Democrat Cooper stamps his trademark well & truly.Things progress along nicely with a standard plot line.Camera-work is a bit dodgy but who cares.The fight sequences are masterfully turned out.Definitely worth a look if you like this genre. This movie has enough blood and action to maintain the viewer's interest though because of its technical shortcomings can be hard to follow at times visually. Lots of dark sequences contributing to the general mayhem with a hokey soundtrack. The dialog is somewhat stilted,but who cares,this is ultimate fun to watch. Cooper has a long track record for promoting wickedly masterful Liberal Democracy ,one can only equate the fight sequences with high ballet. This is liberal fare but still serves up the usual dollop of action.… Expand

21 of 21 users found this helpful210

rorschach2009

Feb 19, 2012

The filmmaker was clearly confused as to whether he wanted to showcase Uday's brutal way of handling power, or propel a story with the former's support. Photography is great, and so is Domiinic Cooper as Uday. But that's that. I found it difficult to sit through all 108 minutes, and wishedThe filmmaker was clearly confused as to whether he wanted to showcase Uday's brutal way of handling power, or propel a story with the former's support. Photography is great, and so is Domiinic Cooper as Uday. But that's that. I found it difficult to sit through all 108 minutes, and wished the movie ended much sooner. It is boring, disoriented, and lacks direction. An amateurish effort.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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