Based on the novel of the same name, the film follows a fictional young Scottish doctor who gets in over his head when the 1970s' new president of Uganda, the factual Idi Amin, takes him under his wing. As a child of the 70s, I didn't know the history, and it's fascinating and outrageous. I got this to see Forest Whitaker's (deserved) Oscar-winning performance, but I dare say it's an acting showcase across the board. Everyone is excellent in it, and filming in Uganda itself lends the film an authenticity it might not otherwise have had.

So-so. Suffered from a lack of likeable characters and a clash of styles, becoming increasingly 'generic action thriller' as the running time wore on. Great acting, though.

Whittaker is fantastic. The role could easily go over the top. But he plays both the scary and funny moments perfectly.

Interesting to see a film like this focused on the person of the president, instead of the massacres. Which obviously still play a really important role and you feel everything that’s happening through the portrayal of Amin.