Our first visit to Vue Exeter!

This week we made our first Orange Wednesday visit to the new Vue cinema in Exeter. First impressions were the service was poor (slow, no smiles etc) and the price of popcorn and drinks were through the roof (altho the small ones were big - bit American!) We had to go up a REALLY long escalator too but we got on, well I got on & John was about to get on, and a Vue bod called us back to check our tickets...now ticket checking is to be expected but surely you would put the checking post BEFORE the start of the escalator or even at the top of it not 5foot past it. Odd! The screen was quite small and, having been offered seats in 'front, middle or back' and chosen middle we were surprised to find ourselves in the 2nd row...not really the middle but not too close I suppose.

Right, on to the film...in one word -

Brilliant!

The quality of the acting was really high; Forest Whitaker has received a Best Actor Oscar Nomination and won the Golden Globe in the same category for his portrayal of charismatic but psychopathic ruler, Idi Amin. James McAvoy compliments him & is supremely believable as the naive, handsome, Scottish doctor Nicholas Garrigan who arrives in 1970s Uganda freshly qualified and looking for excitement, sun & the chance to help a country truly in need of his medical skills but gets drawn into Amin's inner circle, becoming the leaders confidante and advisor.

When Garrigan is called to attend to an accident involving Amin and a cow he makes an impression on the new Ugandan leader when he takes control of the situation at hand. Already obsessed with Scotland; it's history and culture, Amin takes an instant shine to Garrigan and consequently makes him an offer he can't refuse as his personal physician.

Garrigan falls deeper & deeper under Amin's spell, spurred on by their shared love of fast cars, beautiful women, glamorous parties and not to mention power. However things start to go very very wrong as he becomes aware web of kidnappings, assassinations & vile atrocities (arms and legs chopped off and then sewn back in the other way around - any takers?!) When Garrigan makes steps to get away from Amin he finds himself fighting for his freedom, and his life.

Based on the novel by Giles Foden & directed by documentary filmmaker Kevin Macdonald, the film mixes historical fact with fiction to produce a truly thought provoking and, to be quite honest, frightening film. John has read the book so he's the man to ask about the quality of transition from book to screen but for me this is a definite contender for my 2007 Top Five as things stand.

Fingers crossed for Forest Whitaker and his Oscar!

TA

This certainly was a brilliant film, and I already know it is in my top 5 of 2007! I thought that Forest was brilliant, and so very scary as Idi Amin, with those hard and powerful eyes. James was also good as the naive doctor who became enveloped and mesmerised by the power and presence of Amin.

For the first time ever, I have read the book, and seen the film, and very much enjoyed both. The book and film differ to quite an extent, but the changes are thoroughly understandable. The book’s ending wouldn’t be a satisfactory ending to any film. As such a lot more suspense, action and drama have been added superbly.

The book focuses on a lot of Nicholas’ adventures in Uganda prior to his encounter with Amin and his sprained wrist, before covering, and surpassing the film, explaining the moral dilemma of Nicholas and his realisation of the wrongdoing’s in 1970’s Uganda, his eventual escape (not by plane with PLO hostages!), his repatriation in Britain and his ensuing guilt.

I highly recommend both! 5 Stars!
John.