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  Macdonald�s instinct for creating compelling cinema sees him return from the BAFTA award-winning success of Touching The Void with an adaptation of Giles Foden�s semi-fictional novel that operates on the dark heart of  �70s Africa. Channelled through a towering, career defining performance from Forest Whitaker we enter the world of a murderous megalomaniac�

�I myself consider myself the most powerful figure in the world.� You could be forgiven for thinking that this quote came from Mohammed Ali in his pomp. But the early charismatic promise of General Idi Amin soon gave way to a reign of terror that left hundreds of thousands of Ugandan�s dead in the wake of his crazed regime. We are introduced to an Africa of optimism through the eyes of young Scot Dr. Garrigan (the impressive James MacAvoy) �looking for adventure� and an escape from the family practice. While it�s something of a disappointment to learn that Garrigan�s character is the semi-fictional element of this tale - Garrigan is a composite of two people close to Amin, his personal physician and a political advisor - the inspired pairing of Whitaker and McAvoy lights up the screen.

In the first act Forest Whitaker plays Amin with all the warmth of a loveable rogue. But the old clich� soon rings true � �power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely�. In 1971 Amin was seen as a positive icon, the boy done good, rising through the ranks after starting out as a kitchen boy in the British army, before earning his spurs in the Queen�s Scottish regiment. But the evil glint in the eye of an actor revelling in his finest role hints at the dark arc gradually forming. Garrigan is seduced by the glamour of Amin�s �brave new world� after hearing him speak to his people in the early days before his promise of democracy left his country drowning in the wake of a ruthless dictatorship: �Civilization began in Africa. Arabs took our medicine. Greeks stole our philosophy. Black power!�

Amin soon grew fearful of assassination convinced he was �surrounded by traitors� but remained resolute, �It is my dream. They cannot kill me.� But Garrigan assuages the dictator�s growing paranoia, �If you�re afraid of dying it shows you have a life worth living.� But as the �close advisor� to a rapidly descending despot Garrigan is in too deep as he discovers that just like the Mafia, you�re in for life. McAvoy competes with Whitaker�s aura as he fights against a set of circumstances that sees the idealistic Scot become The General�s �white monkey�. Amin�s split personality lurches from leader to paranoid recluse seeking solace in comic books while watching Deep Throat with his henchmen. Amin warns Garrigan that he has stepped into the heart of Uganda as the young doctor�s adventures threaten to overwhelm him in a suspenseful tale that highlights the skill of a director with filmmaking in his blood � Macdonald�s grandfather was Emeric Pressburger (A Matter Of Life And Death, The Red Shoes).

The Last King Of Scotland exceeds expectations proving to be more than just a political drama with a strong central performance. And with the awards season in full flow this is a contender to be reckoned with. A series of high-octane moments, including a car chase, a debauched party cross cut with a sex scene and one instance of brutal torture that is not for the squeamish put this film on a par with last year�s The Constant Gardener. Required viewing.