Whitaker In The Film The Last King Of Scotland

Stanislavsky instruction that, “every internal activity has an external manifestation” is a logical point of reference for any actor attempting to assume the imposing and extremely erratic and complex persona that was Idi Amin Dada. Forest Whitaker’s performance as the infamous brutal dictator Amin in the Movie, “The Last King of Scotland,” is no less informed. In a supportive role, Whitaker’s multiple award winning interpretation of this character, including the coveted Oscar as best actor in a leading role, cannot but be described as phenomenal. The movie’s protagonist, Nicholas Garrigan, played by James McAvoy is also memorable albeit overshadowed by Whitaker’s overbearing presence as Amin. The film, based on a Giles Foden novel and directed by Kevin Macdonald, is an opportune frame within which to examine “acting” as an art-form. Its plot has very little to offer beyond an amalgamation of mostly inferred historical facts embellished with fictitious tidbits for added effect about a well documented
As an historical figure, Whitaker was tasked with presenting a world view of a controversial figure while balancing this with the realities of an emerging nation navigating its “place” within a postcolonial context. At the same time, Whitaker was challenged with a role that had no particular purpose but to replicate, not the life, but the “character” of a complex human being. This was not the story of Idi Amin but rather his “actions” to arouse the audience’s emotions. Whitaker masterfully switches his physic, gestures, facial expressions, and vocalization to assume Amin’s ever changing and unpredictable deportment. His demeanor literally changes with every scene to dramatically suite Amin’s whims, reveal his paranoia, and wreak fear in his