THE DEVIL'S DOUBLE

With Dominic Cooper, Ludivine Sagnier, Raad Rawi, Khalid Laith, Mimoun Oaïssa, Dar Salim, Pano Masti

Written by Michael Thomas (based on the biographical writing of Latif Yahia)

Directed by Lee Tamahori

This shockingly true story of Uday, one of Saddam Hussein's psychotic sons (seen from the perspective of his double), could have your jaw drop. Before the first Iraq war, these self-appointed rulers did as they pleased, whenever, however. For various reasons (especially for security and assassination attempts), Saddam and his sons had doubles. Uday, the sadistic, nasty piece of work did whatever he wanted to whomever he wanted, from torture and rape to murder, totally above the law, and everyone else. In selecting his double, he forces Latif, an old school acquaintance into this role.
We're taken on the mind-blowing ride as he witnesses exactly how unhinged Uday is, destroying lives in his wake. Lead actor Dominic Cooper portrayed both the roles with perfection (and I reckon he should be first in line for a Freddy Mercury biography).
Once Were Warriors director Lee Tamahori pulled off a highly effective movie with truth stranger than fiction (none of the events exaggerated for cinematic effect).

5 / B
- Paul Blom

0 1 2 3 4 5 6
- A - B - C

A: Multiple Viewing Potential
B: Deserves Another Look
C: Once Should Suffice