This weekend I finally went to see The Last King of Scotland. If you bellas are as about supporting black actors and actresses as you say you are, run, don’t walk to see this film.
Thus far all of the buzz has been about Forest Whitaker, and deservedly so! He transforms into a historic figure and captures Idi Amin with all of his charming, terrifying schizophrenic idiosyncrasies. But there is also an outstanding performance by Kerry Washington, who is subtle, understandably terrified, and absolutely luminous all at the same time.
On screen, she is just stunning. And her performance… wow. I find it hilarious that she described the movie as a “pleasant little British film in Uganda” in this interview with Blackfilm.com, especially given the subject matter. But I think she was referring to the pleasures of independent film versus Hollywood blockbusters like Mr. and Mrs. Smith and The Fantastic Four, which she also costarred in.
Still, there isn’t much that is pleasant about The Last King of Scotland.
It’s brutal, psychological, and at times quite difficult to watch. I wept at several points during this film. (Spoiler alert: obviously a film about Idi Amin’s reign in Uganda isn’t going to have a Hollywood happy ending. But Kerry speaks very honestly about her role in this interview, and gives away a horrific scene. Be forewarned).
Kerry also gives great perspective on Amin’s reign in this interview, and shares some bold political opinions. I love an actress who is brave an intelligent enough to hold her own and surprise you in an interview. It made me appreciate her even more.
This is the kind of film that lingers in your brain, and makes you want to go and do research to figure out the film’s fiction versus the facts. Sadly, some of the most out-there, shocking scenes are based on real history.
I loved Ray, but I haven’t seen many of Kerry Washington’s other films. (Somehow I managed to miss Save the Last Dance, She Hate Me, and um… Little Man). But after this performance, I’m looking forward to her upcoming roles. At this screening we also saw the trailer for Chris Rock’s upcoming and damn near autobiographical I Think I Love My Wife, in which she apparently plays the homewrecker. Kerry Washington is engaged to actor David Moscow (who is most famous for playing the little kid in Big), and they plan on producing films together in the future. Fingers crossed for more brave, outside-the-box movies from this gorgeous couple.
As Kay Amin, she is clad in gorgeous Afrocentric prints, wears natural hair in beautiful braids, and her beauty is all about flawless, glowing skin, pleading eyes, and those lush lips. To appropriate the look, exfoliate your face well, use a good moisturizer and concealer, and break out the bronzer to accentuate your cheeks and t-zone. After your skin looks flawless, complete the look with a bronze lip gloss.
Kerry Washington is definitely an actress to watch, and I can’t wait to see what she’s starring in next! As long as it isn’t Little Man 2, I’ll be there for sure.
I went to see the movie on Saturday, my birthday. I had been eagerly anticipating the movie since I first heard about it months ago. It was so good! As you continue to think about the movie, it just gets better and better! I agree that the movie lingers and makes you want to know more to separate truth from fiction.I was a child when Amin was in power and the movie has made me want to know more about him and his role in the history of the world. Kerry Washington was a standout and Forest Whitaker’s praise is a long time coming. He has been wonderful from day one and I am so happy to see him get the props he deserves. Please go out and see this movie!!!!
kerry is soo beautiful and talented. im so happy to see her doing so well
Kerry is beautiful and talented. I recently saw “She Hate Me” and she gives a great performance (if you are nervous or skittish about sex and nudity, you would probaly skip this one) and nothing in God’s green earth would propel me to see “Little Man” but I mos def want to see “Last King” before the Oscars air.
Yes, this is a really good movie. Forest is amazing. He is such an incredible actor. Kerry is stunningly beautiful and an excellent actress.
This movie kept me on my toes. Forest’s character was crazed, charismatic, funny, murderous, eccentric, etc. Forest was able to capture all of that.
Don’t want to give the story away but Kerry’s character was tragic. I loved her character and wanted to shake some common sense into her at times. Great movie!
i just read that she plays a “passive wife” in the film. i havent seen it yet but is that true?
she really deserves better acting roles, she has soo much potential
I LOVE Kerry Washington she’s one of my favorite actresses. I haven’t seen Little Man and I don’t plan too either but I’ve seen quite a few other movies with her in them. I’ll have to netflix “She Hate Me” and maybe I’ll go see “The Last King of Scotland” this coming Thursday during a matinee.
i caught Kerry on the View not too long ago and she seems really cool. Forrest Whitaker is so on point, he brings raw intensity to one of my favorite shows The Shield.
Kinkygirl, she is a bit passive in the sense that she is one of three (or more?) wives of an African dictator — a very traditional role to say the least. Plus, her husband is a notorious psycho, so hey, I’d be passive too. But she makes some decisions (as Monica mentions) that aren’t passive, but passionate. I’d like to say more but I really shouldn’t. Go see it!
I’m glad to have come across your site. The ‘fros are so beautiful. I remember those days…as I’ve decided to lock my hair now. I’m still ‘froed in spirit though.
Nappy,
Latoya
Kerry’s skin glows even in these small photos. She must look amazing on the big screen.
Hey Bella!
Kerry Washington is so beautiful! I have not had a chance to see Last King of Scotland but I will soon. I will email you when I give my take on the film on my blog.
i loved this film. it was charged and just such a great adaptation of a good book. you can tell it was a passionate piece of work. i especially like that it was about uganda, a beautiful east african county. my region of east africa is coming up despite having suffered such an awful dictator!
I plan on going to see this movie tomorrow. Kerry is so talented and pretty. I know she plays the role of Kay Amin well.
Kerry is stunning! I love her, and have been itching to see The Last King of Scotland ever since Forest Whitaker started winning, well, just about every award possible.
By the way, have you seen Kerry’s “signature” lippy from the new L’Oreal collection? Prettiest one in the whole line.
The photo of Kerry in the cornrows and printed halter is going nto my hair and style inspiration folder. I will definitely be rocking that look in the spring and summer.
Coloured actors in AUSTRALIA. Hi all, this is Maree a member of the coloured cast in the 1998 Hal Prince Broadway production of Showboat, when that show came to Australia. 14 Americans came to Sydney to join the cast, but a handful of Aussies were hanging in there to do or die! I was the mulatto understudy who turned up on the first day of rehearsals to hear it had been double cast with an American actor. Doesn’t matter – in the end three beautiful women sang and danced our socks off in shows and rehearsals. Although the Aussie contingent contained Samoans,links to Mauritius and Maouris, I was very concious of being the only indigenous link, and mine was very raw – my coming out. A new context for my peers to see me in. When the show moved to Melbourne more Australians joined the coloured cast, which I like to think reflects an increased acceptance of the higher profile prescence of indigenous Australians in TV and theatre/media. Thank you everyone for coming accross to my country, and moving us along the reconcilation line. The prescence of our American colleagues was like a tonic, and I know it resonated in future contracts and connections for members fo the Melbourne cast of 1999. I didn’t grow up being able to call myself or think of myself as a koori girl – still don’t because of conditioning I guess. Elsewhere, today in my city, Hobart we put up plaque to acknowledge the original occupants of land in Tasmania on a land site that has been a place of worship for colonial and post colonial settlers. Life has some good moments! The world is full of good connections if we learn to reach out, and stand up for who we are! Go bros!!
SIng , Dance, Act adn rock yoru hearts out! It is a beautiful world!