Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by mr grits (A) on December 09, 2011 at 22:16:04

Dominic Cooper does double duty as Uday Hussein and his look alike, Latif Yahia, in an action-drama based on Yahia's autobiographical book of the same title. The director, Lee Tomahori, stated he was out to make an exciting, fictional gangster film being set in Iraq in the 80's. He further explains that Saddam Hussein's rule had all the classic hallmarks of a mafia family rather than that of a political one. He employed Yahia's book to give true character and reality to the screenplay. So, things represented in the movie may have happened but none are specifically tied to a factual date and time.

Cooper did an exceptional job of switching between psychopath and a man of character. His Uday was bit comical and totally over-the-top. Uday was a man obsessed with sex, luxury, and violence who helped himself to school girls on the street or wives on their wedding day. He was truly monstrous as only psychopaths can be.

Ludivine Sagnier plays Uday's designated mistress during this time. She lives in fear of losing favor and seeks refuge in Latif. When the time comes, Sagnier flees with Latif only to double-cross him out of fear.

Yahia lived on the lamb for many years as the Iraqi intelligence arms were well connected throughout Europe. In the bonus features he recounts how many times attempts were made on his life. When Uday and his brother were killed in 2003 the boot came off his neck and he began to live openly in Ireland.

This is an interesting movie in that it gives you a flavor of the capricious insanity Uday created in his day-to-day life. It gives you top class performances from all and, thanks to bonus features, shows just how far digital magic has come.

I give it three outta five for acting and story content.