Ther performances, especially Forest Whitaker's, were really good. Towards I found that the film lost its grip because it got a little fuzzy, blurry and not so much coherent any more. Otherwise an interesting film.

This movie is average in every way but one, Forrest Whitaker. I'm usually not a fan of movies made so the star can get an Oscar (i.e. Cast Away and others like it), but this story is important and needs to be told. I'm am however left with the feeling that had the moviemakers cast a stronger actor and personality than James "in 5 minutes you'll forget me" McAvoy this movie could have been great. McAvoy is like Rene Zellwegger, he should never be more than the funny friend in a movie.

Interesting period piece but not sure if what it says ultimately adds up to much.

Forest Whitaker's stellar performance is both a blessing and a curse to this movie. His presence is powerful and menacing to a point where every scene without him feels dull and - worst of all - pointless (worst offender: the contrieved love-affair... ungh...). A standout act in an otherwise unmemorable film.

A fine Whitaker performance thrown away on a silly script.

Thrilling drama of a (fictional) life, better by its unusual setting, although the dramatic irony (gap of knowledge) between the audience and protagonist is great and he suffers for it. Also another movie about Africa with a white protagonist.

Macavoy and Whitaker are phenomenal in this tale of one of the fiercest tyrants in modern history.

The story progresses at a rather slow rate and then instantly picks up in the last 35 minutes. The way Kevin MacDonald made the film allowed the audience to understand Nick Garrigan, and allowed the audience to see Idi Amin all different aspects of his life. But at times, it felt as though they were dragging it out. Even through the dragged sequences you could still admire the acting talent and the emotions portrayed by both McAvoy and Whitaker. A good film. But not solid all the way through.

Forest Whitaker's acting is nearly impeccable in this film but what drags it down is the white protagonist shoehorned into the plot which seems intended as someone that mainstream white audiences can latch onto. It feels like a bit of a cop out. The film itself is relentless and nuanced in its portrayal of idi amin but loses steam a bit near the end.

fantastique!