First let me say that if Forrest Whitiker doesn't get Best Supporting Oscar for this the academy should be charged with a felony. This is one of the best acting performances that I have ever seen, and makes the movie worth watching. Watch this film, if only to see this performance.
As far as the movie, the only part that didn't flow was the Doctor (yes, I know he is the main character), who was sort of a weak character that I was never really able to get a grip on. This maybe due to the fact that I was trying to like him, but he was really wasn't likable. He was selfish, arrogant, and naive. The kind of man who thinks he knows everything, and is too stupid to realize that he is stupid. Even though the main character wasn't Amin I think it worked really well, because we saw Amin through the eyes of a doctor who ended up being a participant in Amin's crimes (and probably was aware of what he was doing, but was shocked with the result).
You start by seeing Amin as this hero of the people, and then realize that he is a paranoid madman. I don't think that same effect could have been done with Amin as the main character. What this movie did really well is establish the suspense, especially at the end. Even though I didn't like the doctor at all, and if anybody was deserving of torture it was him, I was still horrified during the climax, and relieved when he was able to escape (through an heroic act of a minor character).
This movie has a lot in common with Hotel Rwanda, except it is not a tale of heroism in the face of hatred. Except for the final act of the minor character there is nothing heroic done in this movie.
As far as the movie, the only part that didn't flow was the Doctor (yes, I know he is the main character), who was sort of a weak character that I was never really able to get a grip on. This maybe due to the fact that I was trying to like him, but he was really wasn't likable. He was selfish, arrogant, and naive. The kind of man who thinks he knows everything, and is too stupid to realize that he is stupid. Even though the main character wasn't Amin I think it worked really well, because we saw Amin through the eyes of a doctor who ended up being a participant in Amin's crimes (and probably was aware of what he was doing, but was shocked with the result).
You start by seeing Amin as this hero of the people, and then realize that he is a paranoid madman. I don't think that same effect could have been done with Amin as the main character. What this movie did really well is establish the suspense, especially at the end. Even though I didn't like the doctor at all, and if anybody was deserving of torture it was him, I was still horrified during the climax, and relieved when he was able to escape (through an heroic act of a minor character).
This movie has a lot in common with Hotel Rwanda, except it is not a tale of heroism in the face of hatred. Except for the final act of the minor character there is nothing heroic done in this movie.