Kings of Scotland

It seems like Forest Whitaker has been around forever. And even if he had to work in s--t like Species or Body Count, the quality of his performances have rarely been questioned. But how hard must it have been to play a wildly infamous African president who seamlessly shifts between humanity and psychosis?
The Last King of Scotland is loosely based on the novel of the same name - which is itself loosely based on the historical events of Uganda and its leader in the 1970s, Idi Amin. While Whitaker seems like the perfect choice for Amin (those of you who were actually aware of world affairs in the 70s would be more qualified than I to agree or not), equally compelling for me was the job turned in by James McAvoy as a newly minted physician from Edinburgh who decides to snub his stodgy doctor dad and take his medical talents on an adventure to the first (well, second) place his finger hits a spinning globe. It begins well for him: saving the lives of young tots with the miracle of vaccines, making googly eyes with a blonde-streaked Gillian Anderson, playing football with the schoolboys. His luck then takes an unfortunate turn when he becomes enamored with the idea of a budding democracy in his distant new home.
The absolute subtlety & intensity these two actors are able to bear when together in scenes is astounding. Furthermore, as McAvoy is a relatively nascent big-screen talent compared to Whitaker's veteran presence, his ability to unfailingly meet Whitaker's skill is a statement to his enormous capabilities. Leo DiCaprio is certainly a crowd favorite; but I wish his Oscar nom this year had instead been given to young McAvoy so that he may share his costar's Academy recognition.