Review : The Devil's Double (2011)

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The story of a man who looks exactly like Uday Hussein,the notorious playboy son of Saddam Hussein, and how he gets used as a body double and abused as he plans a way out of the palacious hell. Will he get out alive?



As the poster cover say- "Its jaw droppingly awesome". Maybe not jaw dropping but its awesome nonetheless. We all know the story of Saddam Hussein but his son's story is not widely known. And by the looks of it its clear that he surpassed his father when it came to assholeness. He was just so so cruel and immoral that even Saddam wanted to kill him. He really was the devil and it needed someone more devilish to end him. So after an assassination attempt which left him paralyzed he died in 2003 when the US attacked Iraq. The film chronicles his life and shows how and what he did pretty clearly showing that he was a psychotic which everyone turned a blind eye to cos he was Saddam's son. Raping and killing women and many of his father's friends who didnt agree with him. He was more than the devil. Although Saddam has not been totally shown as a Villian in this movie and it keeps the fact intact to show what really brought upon the Kuwait war. This can be eye opening for those unaware and you totally realize that no single party can be right and wrong in this complex tug of war. Entertaining and engaging stuff.......


The New Zealand director Lee Tamahori(Die Another Day, Along Came A Spider) directs this amazing feature and gives an entertaining though brutal look at the state of Iraq under Saddam and Uday. He takes up a controversial book written by Latif Yahia which many called to question and turns into a stark fast paced action movie which loses pace only a couple of times in the middle where an unnecessary love triangle was being created. But it poses no problem as there are enough great moments to keep you glued to your seats as we hope with all our energy that this scum gets his comeuppance sooner than later. War footage has been used extensively as time passes and Iraq goes further into turmoil as Saddam slowly but surely loses trust of the people. Lee creates some authentic sets and pays great attention to details as we get transported to the 80's and 90's Iraq as Uday lusts and Iraq gets bombed. Just amzing!!

Who wouldn't be enthralled by her?

The acting department is full of new people who do fantastic work. The supporting cast is huge who create a world of deceit and debauchery that makes us all sweaty. The girls are beautiful and do what Uday had kept them for. Glamour and sex. But the real hero of this amazing movie is none other than Dominic Cooper(Latif/Uday) who plays the dual role with perfection. He sure knows how to make us dread and love him in the same scene. The complex and psychotic role of someone as non media savvy as Uday is captured pretty nicely by him. And in those scenes i bet you would want to hurt him pretty badly. But the next scene he turns into this lovable Latif and you now cant help but root FOR him. So its a real complex situation but good writing and direction helps the matter. Ludivine Sagnier(Sarrab) makes for pretty picture and has a good role as Uday's escort who falls in love with Latif. Women have only thing to do in this so considering that she gets a pretty nice role which in my opinion wasn't needed. But who cares. She's drop dead gorgeous. Don't believe me. Watch Swimming Pool!!

The Devil's Double?

  
Cinematography by Sam McCurdy is amazing. Capturing some great scenes with some awesome lighting and colour. Considering he was the DOP for THE DESCENT its no wonder he creates mood and feel and so well. Fast editing and some pretty nice music make for an engaging ride to hell. Shot in Malta and Jordan the Iraq is created pretty nicely as the shiny 80's and a psychotic son of a dictator take your breath away.....



HighTension Verdict: Not many know Uday Saddam Hussein's story. And this is a great movie if you like to know what led to the Kuwait war. Maybe the story is not totally accurate but its engaging and action packed. Breathless moments, Sex and brutal violence fill the running time and can be enjoyed if you like stark dictator stories.


HighTension Meter: 8/10.


BEST Quote:

[after Uday has kidnapped a school-girl off the street]

Uday Hussein: Don't fucking look at me like that.
Latif Yahia: Like what?
Uday Hussein: Like that. I know that fucking look. I know what you're thinking. Think what the fuck you like. I like cunt. I want cunt. I see a cunt, I want to fuck it. I don't care. I love my country. I love my mother, father. But I love cunt more than I love God!