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Genres: ActionDramaBiogra
Starring: Philip Quast, Nasser Memarzia, Dominic Cooper, Raad Rawi, Mem Ferda, Ludivine Sagnier, Amber Rose Revah
Director(s): Lee Tamahori
Country: Belgium
Year: 2011
Available Quality: DivX, iPod
IMDB Rating: 7.1 out of 10 (13724 votes)
Baghdad, the playground for the rich and infamous, where anything can be bought - but for a price. This is Uday Husseins world and with his depraved lust for debauchery and immorality, he helps himself to whatever turns him on. When army lieutenant Latif Yahia is summoned to Saddams palace, he is faced with an impossible request - to be Udays fiday - his body double, or have his family condemned to death. In a world entrenched in betrayal and corruption, knowing who to trust becomes a matter of life or death for Latif, as he battles to escape from his forced existence.
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Visitors Review
wvisser-leusden (23 May 2012)
be available for sex or die
Set in the Iraq of Saddam Hussein, 'The devil's double' deals with ahighly original theme: the whereabouts of a stand-in for one ofSaddam's sons.And what a son! Neurotic & sex-obsessed, and always ready to makesevere reprisals against those who get across. As a son of the mightySaddam the limits of the law obviously do not bother you.So it's not surprising that the stand-in son soon gets troubled bymoral dilemmas en responsibilities. The same goes for his femalecompanion, acted out by Ludivine Sagnier. She soon swaps the realSaddam-son for the fake one.All this drama is surrounded by good authentic film-material aboutSaddam's war against Kuwait in 1991. Inculding president Bush senior'smilitary intervention. As well as by, as far as I can judge, arealistic picture of the Iraq society of those days.The male lead is acted out well by Dominic Cooper. In slight contrast,Ludivine Sagnier impresses less in her role as an Iraqi-Arab vamp ofdubious reputation. I feel the producer of 'The devil's double' shouldhave done better to hire an Arab actress.Ludivine's acting makes the only slight flaw in this well-made film.
gradyharp (23 May 2012)
Dominic Cooper's Star Turn
THE DEVIL'S DOUBLE is a surprise film - a film that is not onlyinformative in that it is based on a true story, but it is also anexamination of the corruption of Saddam Hussein's (Philip Quast)control of Iraq, AND it also happens to display one of the finestacting performances by a male actor this year. Dominic Cooper is doublyexceptional playing both the man from whom the story was obtained -Latif Yahia - as well as the 'Black Devil' Uday Saddam Hussein, SaddamHussein's despicably rotten, psychopathic, drug addicted, Lothario andbrutal murderer oldest son.There is a term 'fiday' which means body double. According toencyclopedic sources 'Uday Saddam Hussein is known to have used a bodydouble named Latif Yahia. Being from a well- off family, Yahia was sentto the best school in Iraq, and it was at one of those that he firstcrossed paths with Uday. Even then, his resemblance to Uday wassomething that was apparent as Yahia's classmates would point out.Years later, during the Iran-Iraq war, Yahia was a captain on the frontwhen he was pulled out by Iraqi intelligence and forced to becomeUday's fiday or body double via threats to his family. Yahia was thenmade to undergo training and cosmetic surgery (including dental) inorder for him to resemble Uday more. After allegedly surviving 11assassination attempts targeted at Uday, Yahia successfully fled Iraqin December 1991. Uday had his father picked up and poisoned inretribution. Yahia wrote a book detailing his life and the life helived as Uday's body double in his book The Devil's Double.'Baghdad, the playground for the rich and infamous, where anything canbe bought - but for a price. This is Uday Saddam Hussein's world andwith his depraved lust for debauchery and immorality, he helps himselfto whatever turns him on. The film recreates Baghdad and the sordidconditions in the city as Iraq overtook Kuwait for its oil, and actthat marked the beginning of the Iraqi war with the United States.Clips of Hussein and Bush are inserted for credibility. When Latif isforced by torture and threats to become Uday's double the tensionmounts to an almost incredible level. When Latif can no longer stomachthe barbarianism of Uday he flees with Uday's No. 1 mistress Sarrab(Ludivine Sangier) to Malta: Latif's protection of Sarrab iscompromised and Latif returns, betrayed, to Baghdad to cause bodilyharm to Uday. The brilliance of this film is focused on the dual roles Dominic Cooperplays - Latif and Uday - two men as opposite from each other as couldbe imagined. But Cooper is able to pull this duplicity of roles off sowell that it at all times seems like there are two actors playing theindividual roles. It is a true tour de force of acting and should placeDominic Cooper in the lineup for the Oscars. It is not clear why thisfilm is not better known. It is magnificently written (Latif Yahia andMichael Thomas), filmed (Sam McCurdy) and directed (Lee Tamahori) andin this reviewer's opinion deserves to be considered one of the bestfilms of the year. It is that powerful: it is that deserving. Grady Harp
tigerstar154 (22 May 2012)
Great Movie
The Devil's DoubleWhen I first heard of this movie, I was quite interested. In fact, Ihad seen the trailer every time. Many people are familiar with Saddamand his cruelty but this Movie shows Uday Hussein's menace which isless looked upon. The time period is during/after the Gulf war in 1991but focused a little before when Iran-Iraq had a war.A look alike man by the name of Latif Yahya becomes Uday Hussein's bodydouble and faces a life cruelty.The Pluses: Great Scenery, The acting of Dominic Cooper and his role(he looked authentically Arab)The action, and they show various warclips of Iraq which is helpful to some. The dude who played SaddamHussain actually looked liked him. The girls were great, especially thegirl who played the Concubine, SarrabThe Minuses: This is an R-rated flick so expect a lot of violence,cussing sex and nudity especially towards the end.Overall, The Devil's Double is a great Fictional film, notice I saidfictional as some events are taken out of proportion. i give this an8/10
Nikki Hagman (21 May 2012)
The Devil's Double, in Malta.
The Devil's Double has just opened here in Malta to great acclaim, notonly because it was filmed here but because of it's great story andoutstanding performances by Dominic Cooper, Philip Quast, frenchactress Ludivine Sagnier and really the whole cast, everyone reallypulls together to make this one of the best movies that I have seen ina long time. Yes, I am a little biased because it was made in Malta butno one could have pulled the Uday/Latif performances off like DominicCooper has, that guy is Oscar worthy. I want to pay a special tributeto my fellow countrymen/women who played a part in this movie, welldone, I know a lot of people who were extras or worked on hair,make-up, tailoring etc, well done guys everything looks great, but ofcourse it wouldn't be the movie that it is without the direction of thegreat Mr. Lee Tamahori. Stunning movie, visually beautiful, hard,gripping and somewhat difficult to take at times, The Devils' Double ismost definitely worth seeing.
Namer Al-Tikriti (19 May 2012)
Just got a chance to see The Devil's Double.
Just got a chance to see The Devil's Double, great movie! As the firstof it's kind I think that they did well, being Iraqi myself ( I left inthe early 90's) I find it quite accurate, I can tell it wasn't actuallyfilmed in Baghdad but then who really wants to go there!? For so longI've listened to critics here in the US saying the movie is too flashyor over the top but I lived in Baghdad during that time, believe me wewere more O.T.T than that! Iraq in the '80's had everything you couldwant, night clubs, bars, the best hotels in the world, Sheraton, LeMeridien etc, think of Dubai now, that was Baghdad then. Anyway, I wasan officer in a special unit in the palace. So I saw a lot of stuff, itwas an open secret that Uday had a double, just like President SaddamHussein. It makes me laugh when there's controversy after 20 yearsabout whether Latif Yahia's story is true or not, I wonder who they'reasking for an opinion, some guy who left Iraq when he was three and hasnever been to the middle-east let alone Iraq! Or worse still the menwho Uday used to call 'friends',  it's of no importance really, Iraq aswe knew it is gone, President Saddam is dead.  Watch and enjoy,historically accurate or not it's one hell of a ride! Oh yeah, ifyou've ever watched any interview of the real Latif Yahia, that's whatUday sounded like, not as squeaky as they make him out to be in themovie. To capture Uday's brutality they would have had to dial it up anotch or twelve, I had the displeasure of seeing him in action inreality. We had a job to do, pretending we weren't there.  Does itglorify Uday, I don't know, I think that's for each person to decide.Am I proud of Latif Yahia for bringing his story to the world,absolutely. Because for each person that tries to rubbish him there aretwenty Iraqis who will defend him, he stood up against the regime andin the end he's the winner.
Hellmant (18 May 2012)
Cooper shines in amazing dual performances!
'THE DEVIL'S DOUBLE': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five) A brutally violent biopic based on a book written by a man, named LatifYahia, who claims to have been a body double for Saddam Hussein's son,Uday. Dominic Cooper stars impressively in the dual lead roles (asLatif and Uday). The film was directed by Lee Tamahori (who's most wellknown for directing B action films like 'DIE ANOTHER DAY', 'NEXT' and'XXX: STATE OF THE UNION') and written by Michael Thomas. There hasbeen a lot of criticism of the film (as well as the book) for beingmore fiction than fact but the filmmakers have admitted that a lot ofthe film's details have been fabricated. Regardless the film isentertaining as well as very interesting.Latif is introduced as an army lieutenant called in to Sadam's palacein Baghdad at the request of Uday. Once there Uday gives Latif theultimatum that he either commit to living at the palace with him and behis body double or have his family killed by Sadam's soldiers. Latifreluctantly agrees and is quickly drawn in to a world of madness. Udayis sadistic and insane and takes whatever he wants, much to theembarrassment of his father. Latif is an honorable soldier dedicated todefending Iraq, but not at this cost, and he is constantly torn withwhat he must do.The movie is very hard to watch at times; it's filled with torture,rape and sadistic madness at times. It's also very interesting andcompelling, if not believable though. Tamahori does an impressive jobdirecting, especially considering his previous film efforts, and thescript is well written but it's Cooper that steals the show! Coopermakes the movie with his amazing dual performances and gives the filmjust the right amount of madness and humanity it needs. Without him themovie probably wouldn't have been nearly as memorable. It has it'sflaws and is not for the squeamish but the movie is worth a watch formost.Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rje99p8QSz8
mukava991 (15 May 2012)
compelling - with limits
Dominic Cooper's tour de force performance in this highly fictionalizedaccount of the relationship between Saddam Hussein's spoiled,drug-addled, sociopathic son Uday and his unwilling double, LatifYahia, largely holds "The Devil's Double" together, but even he can'tsave it when its narrative falls to pieces. The milieu resembles the Uganda of "The Last King of Scotland," about ayoung doctor allowed into 1970s dictator Idi Amin's inner sanctum. Inboth films, the drama is fueled by how an innocent adjusts to a life ofcoerced participation in a world of brute autocratic power, blatantcorruption and insane decadence backed by the pitiless armed force of atotalitarian state. The moral dilemma forced upon Yahia is exquisitelyintense as this basically decent fellow has no choice but to merge hisown identity not only with someone he loathes, but in public. Thealternative is, if not his own death, the death and torture of hisfamily. The complex and terrifying give-and-take between the two men isfascinating to follow until a certain point late in the proceedingswhen all common sense is thrown out the window in what seems like ahasty attempt to wrap up the story.Cooper's roles in such films as "An Education" and "Mamma Mia!" werehardly memorable, but in the former he certainly stole the screendespite having little to do. He looks like a cross between LeonardoDiCaprio and a young Rex Reed. (If anyone ever makes a film about thebackstory of the legendary 1970 disaster "Myra Breckenridge," in whichReed played the pre-sex-changed title character, Cooper would have tobe the choice.)To create the wild Uday Hussein, he raises his voice a notch (soundinga bit like the late Michael Jackson or Johnny Depp's Willie Wonka), tosuggest a boy-man, and moves in a jerky manner. As Latif Yahia he ismore or less straightforward. And when he must play Latif trying toimitate Uday, he makes the high-pitched delivery slightlymonochromatic. It's fun to watch. In fact, as long as the screen isfilled with his moon-eyed, round and pleasing face, all is well withthe film.
Megan McGoey-Smith (15 May 2012)
Not for the Faint of Heart
The Devil's Double is a film based on the memoirs of Latif Yahai whoacted as Uday Hussein's double. Uday one of Saddam Hussein's sons is amorally depraved, addict, rapist, who's psychopathic behaviourtransforms any person around him -especially Uday- into * Schrödinger'scat. *The Devil's Double is directed by Lee Tamahori whose filmographyincludes; Next, Die another Day, and The Edge. Based on the book by thesame name and written by Latif Yahai. Similar films: Bronson.Despite it's interesting premise The Devil's Double fails on manylevels. Rather than being a political or revealing documentary likefilm, it settles for 108 minutes of violence, with a few news clips inbetween. The script and overall story line or lack there of does nothighlight the main themes of sacrificing oneself only to transform intoa devil, but focuses on a convoluted millionaire's fear and terrortactics. focusing mostly on violence the fine line of becoming not only thephysical form of someone but mental form of someone could have beenexplored further. The acting in the film is what makes it worthwatching, Dominic Cooper who was just recently in Captain America doesthe difficult job of portraying both Uday and Latif. His frighteningreal portrayal of Uday makes me truly believe he is a devil. The onlyflaw is the lack of personality overlap by the seemingly incorruptibleLatif. Not for the faint of heart The Devils' Double although, unfulfillingshowcases Dominic Cooper's skillful acting and includes some thoughtprovoking sub-text.--6/10--
Lisa Stewart (15 May 2012)
hard to find in a cinema?
Every now and again a movie comes along that satisfies all thecriteria, great story, great acting, cinematography and direction. TheDevil's Double is that movie, based on the true story of Latif Yahia,the Iraqi Army Lieutenant forced to become the double for SaddamHussein's eldest son Uday Hussein it is a gripping, violent (althoughsome of the stronger scenes are left to the imagination) emotionalroller-coaster ride. Although not historically accurate and having readthe book of the same name not 100% true to that either, it does bearenough resemblance to the original story to hold up, touted as "agangster movie set in the middle east" it is indeed that, with scenesthat stand alongside those in "Goodfellas" or "Scarface" it isdefinitely worth watching. It is out of the cinemas here in the US now,more's the pity but we can look forward to the DVD, having said thatthe movie certainly did not reach it's full cinematic potential here inthe states and because of that when it is released on DVD a lot ofpeople are going to think that it was a "straight to DVD production"which of course it wasn't. Well done to the production teams thatbrought this project together, a totally European "Indie" movie, itcertainly looks "Hollywood". I've heard through the grapevine thatthere may be a push for an Oscar nomination for the lead, DominicCooper, it's well deserved, his dual role as both the victim LatifYahia and the villain Uday Hussein are indeed the stuff of Oscar makingdreams, his ability to swap between the two roles is for want of abetter word brilliant, you are never, ever, left wondering who you arewatching on the screen, unless of course that is the desired effect. Iwould recommend that you see it in the cinema because that is how itwas shot, for cinema, but since we can't here anymore if you didn't geta chance to watch it the first time around, rent or better still buythe DVD you won't be sorry, it's a classic, a movie that will stand thetest of time and will be enjoyed for many, many years to come.
writeveejayblogs-faceboo (15 May 2012)
There but for the grace of...
THE DEVIL'S DOUBLE (2011) is an outstanding movie but don't expect,because of the title, a conventional horror story. It is a horror storyall right, but it is the story of Saddam Hussein's son, Uday, who inhis madness takes what he wants from life and kills at will. The movieearns an 18 Rating because of the graphic violence, sex and drugsscenes, and strong language throughout. But none of that, in myopinion, is gratuitous simply to draw the box office crowds becausethere is a moral in the story. It paints a hideous portrait of what canhappen when the wrong people are in power and how ordinary, innocentpeople (man, woman, and child) suffer under their rule. There but forthe grace of God...Uday Hussain is living the life of a superstar but he needs bodyguardsto protect him. Hardly surprising as he trawls the streets, pullingyoung girls off the pavements and doing what he wants with them backhome, after which he has their bodies dumped on waste land. He wants adouble. After all, his daddy, Saddam Hussein, has a double.Unfortunately for Latif Yahia he looks just like Uday after a bit ofplastic surgery. And there is no escape. He cooperates or his familywill die.I don't know how much truth there is in this story but this is a movieand a good one too.
capone666 (07 May 2012)
The Vidiot Reviews...
The Devil's DoublePolitical figures that are looking for an impersonator, should use anSNL cast member - not only are they spot-on, but no one will mind ifthey're assassinated.Unfortunately, for the dead-ringer in this drama, the dictator heresembles is looking locally for his double.When an Iraqi citizen, Latif (Dominic Cooper), with a strikingsimilitude to Uday (Dominic Cooper), the eldest son of Saddam Hussein(Philip Quast), is asked to service as Uday's political decoy, herefuses.Latif quickly learns, however, that you don't say no to the sadisticson of a dictator.Forced to emulate and pal around with the unhinged heir, Latif'srestraint is pushed to its limits as he watches Uday murder and rapewhomever he pleases.With two superb performances from Dominic Cooper, The Devil's Double isan explicit, stylistic, overblown masterpiece.Thankfully, for American politicians, their country is full of crazy,old, white look-a-likes. (Green Light)
Jack Denton (07 May 2012)
No two people can ever be truly identical..
The Devil's Double. There may be many aspects of the film people willagree and disagree with but the title couldn't have been more accurate.The film tells the story of Uday Hussein and Latif Yahia - who isforced to become Uday's 'fiday' - his body double. From the outset thefilm places Latif in the life and environment of the Hussein family whoenjoy the best that life can offer them within Iraq. This is so muchthe case that the first five minutes of the film is used to introducethe wealth and power that is present in Uday's life. The bestresidence, cars, clothing and women - which is most important to Uday -are naturally present throughout the film. Another three minutes intothe film Uday has already outlined his desire that Latif is to work forhim. This told me the director either didn't want to spend too muchtime in Latif's previous life or wanted to stay true to real life andget straight to the point.. Latif will have known any disobediencewould risk his families safety and therefore the decision, if thereever was one, would always be to accept.Uday Hussein is the equivalent to King George III, 'The Mad King'. Toocareless to have such power, too reckless to be trusted with suchresponsibility and too mentally ill to be roaming free in a country. Hehas no care for anyone but his family, especially his father who hefears immensely. It is clear he will do anything to satisfy his ownneeds, which become more and more sadistic as the film proceeds. Latifon the other hand is exactly the opposite, he is a man who knows wrongfrom right and understands the experiences of the average family inIraq. He fills in at meetings, speeches and public appearances becauseit is his duty to but in private he despises the life that Uday revelsin. In fact it seems all of Uday's staff know he is quite possiblyinsane and are compassionate towards Latif, even Uday's women seem todesire Latif more despite their appearances being identical. I guesspersonality does come above looks after all.The story is set during the Gulf War but specific detail is placed uponthe invasion of Kuwait. We learn that it was Iraq's aim to acquireKuwait but the films emphasis is largely placed upon the personal livesof Uday and Latif rather than the political areas they could have goneinto. Through out we are shown how easily Uday can pick up women, howthere is no consequences when he kills another citizen and generallyhow much he brings shame towards himself and his nation, shame that cannever really be frowned upon even when he is partying on drugs andalcohol until he either passes out or stumbles around foaming at themouth. I did state before that I thought it'd be important to learnabout what it was like to be Saddam's son and this film does thatperfectly but it never really shows the life that the ordinary personin Iraq lives. The best thing to do it seemed was to not possessanything (including a daughter) that Uday might desire and then you canlive a perfectly happy and peaceful life.. I'm sure it wasn't thatsimple but still, at times during the film it sure feels that way. Theaction and violence isn't really used as often as I'd expect in a dramaof this sort but id still say its used effectively. Death, blood andgore is present so beware if you don't like surprises because thosescenes literally come out of no where, reflecting just how unstableUday is.As for the ending, it was just right in my opinion and wasn't over thetop at all, probably because the film is based upon a true story. Thereis also a brief amount of text that comes at the finish that willresult in you heading to Google to do your own personal research!Overall the film gives a decent insight into the state of Iraq'sleadership in the early 90's, the plot is undoubtedly entertainingdespite some repetition and the disturbing acts that Uday carries out.The effects and cinematography were excellent throughout butultimately, Dominic Cooper who plays the part of both the maincharacters makes this film great with his lunacy and ruthlessness inthe role of Uday and his class, strength and control in the role ofLatif.
piedbeauty37 (06 May 2012)
Amazing
The acting by Dominic Cooper who plays both Latif and Uday Hussein isamazing. Cooper's job is to portray the despotic, (some might sayinsane) Uday as well as Latif who is caught in this spider's webbecause he has the misfortune to resemble Uday.Uday is a sex crazed crack head who wants a double to avoidassassination. Latif has no choice but to obey or Uday will torture andkill his entire family.Iraq under Saddam Hussein and his two depraved sons is an absoluteautocracy. Abductions, rape, and murder under Hussein and his sons area commonplace occurrence.Latif wants desperately to escape this horrible existence.This film is definitely not for children or for those with queasystomachs. It is very well done. The portrayal of unchecked cruelty andpower is unforgettable.
Helen OBraien (06 May 2012)
The Devil's Double, twice the performance and Top Movie10/10
After the slew of Iraq movies, all of them from the American soldiersperspective (Green Zone, The Hurt Locker, Three Kings) I found thesubject matter of this film to be a refreshing change. What most peopleknow or remember of Gulf war one, is completely overshadowed by Gulfwar Two/ Iraqi Freedom. So to be able to go back in time and get aglimpse of Baghdad in it's hey day was a remarkable break from "Victorymovies", this is the only movie about Iraq to date as seen from anIraqi viewpoint. Yes, it's violent (not necessarily moreso than Saw,Texas chainsaw massacre et al) but then since it is a portrayal ofevents in a real persons life would you want it any other way? DominicCooper is just fantastic, he inhabits both characters flawlessly andfor the most part you genuinely believe that he is two people.As for the excess, obscenity, gratuitous violence and material wealththat some other reviewers have complained about, well, that was Bagdadin the '80's, does it have to be dressed up in Military Fatiguesscreaming "U.S.A" to be a good movie? If you liked Scarface, if youwant an action packed ride, if you love depth of colour and sound inyour movie. If you want to see great acting from Dominic Cooper, thenthis is the movie for you.When you go see it, ask yourself, what would you have done in the samesituation as the main character Latif Yahia? Could you have survived,because, unless you hadn't heard it is based on a true story.Watch and Enjoy, I have watched it twice and want to watch it againbecause each time I watch it I can't believe it's over, I want more!Stories like this don't come around everyday. Unless of course you wantto watch another Hurt Locker, it may have won a lot of Oscars but TheDevil's Double deserves more.
Ray Pierson (04 May 2012)
OMG. I'm short of superlatives!!
It's nearing 1am on a Thursday, and I have to get up at 6... but I hadthis raving compunction to write only my third review ever - on thisfilm, and I don't care about tomorrow... Dominic Cooper deserves anOscar for his role in this film! This was one of the most eye gazingfilms since Scarface. And to think it was all true makes this even morestunning. My Mrs tried to talk to me about half hour in, and I did thepretend to listen bit when she looked at me for an answer. Whoops.Weren't listening love! Didn't mind she knew neither! I really doadvocate this film right to the top. It had everything. Need I notexplain everything to hardened film critiques...? I've never rated afilm higher than a 7 - even The Shawshank Redemption only got a 7 fromme, and to date is my favourite, but this film blew my breath away.Please don't miss out the opportunity. There's a reason why some havevoted it 11/10 !! ROLE ON THE Oscars!
classicsoncall (03 May 2012)
"You forget, I died the day I came here."
The title of the picture conjures up a mental picture of a horror filmdealing with a Satanic cult of devil worshipers. I'm not sure if theactual product might have come up with something even worse. This storyof Uday Hussein, elder son of the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, is oneof unbridled lust for power, glory and sex that's almost too over thetop to be true, and yet is probably pretty close to the truth. Theamazing thing about the picture that I found out afterwards is that theparts of Uday and his body double Latif Yahia were portrayed by thesame actor, Dominic Cooper. Individually, either one of hisperformances here would have been considered quite exceptional; bothtogether in the same picture I would consider worthy of some type ofachievement award. What made his appearance in the film particularlyfascinating to me is that I know of someone who looks exactly like theLatif character, and it kept me distracted for a considerable portionof the picture.More than anything in the movie, I was struck by the severelymegalomaniacal temperament of Uday Hussein. Here's a person who had noother justification to do the things he did than being born into aparticular family, that of a dictator who ruled his country with a fistof iron. Can you imagine this guy running Iraq if something happened toSaddam before he was eventually captured and tried for his war crimes?As much as I don't want to believe that individuals can sink to thiskind of depravity, my better judgment tells me that this is the kind ofevil that has to be confronted and defeated whenever the opportunitypresents itself.This isn't the kind of film that winds up being recommended assomething to watch based on it's cinematic merit. Even with libertiesthat might have been taken with the telling of it's story, "The Devil'sDouble" is a film that instructs and lays bare the kind of evil thatexists in the world today. I can't imagine how the real life LatifYahia must live each day today thankful in the knowledge that a devillike Uday Hussein eventually got exactly what he deserved for the kindof depraved individual he was.
manar kadom (03 May 2012)
The tender side
Being Iraqi I can judge the film from different perspective. The filmcouldn't explain way Uddy was like that. It wasn't the directorsintention and the time wasn't enough. I will try to explain thatbriefly.Saddam and his family were poor peasants from small village with tribalroots. Revenge and love for power and considering sympathy and emotionsas weakness controlled all of them. Saddam and his tribe knew that hisraise to power was a miracle that they should protect by any means.Uday from the other hand grow in this atmosphere and adopted this wayof thinking but with no restrictions. That why he was more dangerousthan Saddam because he didn't earn the power.They say Saddam took Uday and his brother Qussi on Udyes birthday to acell where half dead prisoner laid on the floor. He gave them guns andasked them to shoot that guy. The story says that Qussi shot one bullettowards the prisoner. Uday on the other hand kept shooting until theclip was empty and he was only a teenager.If that story was true you can understand how Uday was taught to becomethe monster we see in the film.All these sides the film failed to touch except with the way Udaylooked at his father in one of the scenes. This look dose shows amixture of admiration, fear and hatred towards Saddam.He was the source of power and Udy probably adored him. But Saddam wasworried from Udays behavior even though he might utilities it to setfear in his followers.Saddam was Uddy s copy when he was younger but he always kept nicefacade. Otherwise he couldn't v managed to deceive all his friends whomhe killed to get to the power. Udday didn't need to do that andthreatened even family members which made Saddam nearly kill him twice.The guy shot his own uncle in the foot which in tribal customs wasunthinkable. He used to bring singers in his parties and shoot at themfor fun. He had cells filled with naked female prisoners and en army ofhis own.Udy was without a doubt the most feared man in Iraq in his time. Hedidn't hesitate to do anything. The whole picture of Udy that the filmmanaged to show is the tender and funny side of Udy the clown, thetruth was more uglier than that. He managed to make an economic empirebye trading in goods under the embargo in the 90s. He smuggled oil foodand medicine and build a fortune while Iraqis were dying.There were many thing wrong in this movie. It's not documentary so Iunderstand that it doesn't have all the details. But there are thingsthat were simply unbelievable.We have Lativ on one action spiting on Uday and another hitting him.Doing that for a guy with narcissistic Personality and tribalbackground combined with utter power that would be utterly impossiblewithout being killed instantly. The way he shoot Udy first time andthan escape easily without one car following him and then escaping thecountry in a police state were children spy on their parents.Then coming back and shooting Uday again its Dye Hard Four all again.Uday did live from assassination attempt naturally not on Lativ hands.He was hit with many bullets in a street three blocks from my home. Itwas a busy shopping street all shop keepers in that street werearrested even those how were at home. After many operations they kepthis life and great celebrations were held in the same area of theattempt.People how claimed attacking him were shown by newspapers after 2003they claimed that their families were killed and they fled to Iran.When he was killed by Americans many years later some of his peoplethought that he was a mortar and all his sins are gone. But he wasn'tpopular even among his family and that why no one hide him and the onehow did. tipped the Americans about his whereabouts for money.I think Udy need a more historically minded films to show the newgenerations the nature of his crimes and to remember his many victimsOtherwise we will have him as hero after his crimes would be longforgotten. at least to better understand the nature of such a humans.
ankitmirinseth (03 May 2012)
Pure madness
Hitler, Stalin, Saddam  . Modern history is full of notorious dictatorshaving body doubles to shield them from assassination attempts. Thismovie revolves around the life of Latif Yahia, a man with a curse. Hiscurse was his uncanny resemblance to Uday Hussain, Saddam's crazy son.As political tensions pile-up with the onset of Iraq-Iran war amilitary officer,Latif is summoned to become Uday's fedai (bodydouble). He is forced to take up the life of a psychopath, a life oflunacy and fanaticism, a life he abhors. His only hope is that one thiswhen all this is over, he will be set free.Dominic Cooper gives a captivating performance as Uday and is veryconvincing as his double Latif. But the most enthralling aspect of thefilm is the insight into a dictator's lifestyle. Consumed by hisdesires (Brioni, Versace, Armani,he owns it all) and sexual pleasures,Uday's considers himself nothing less than an immortal god.The music and sets truly compliment the script and lure you to theplot.What seems missing is a more dramatic ending, but hey, don't forgetit's based on a true story. Certainly one of the best flicks of theyear.
SnakesOnAnAfricanPlain (29 April 2012)
Cooper is amazing.
A look into the seedy and disgusting world of Uday Hussein and hisunfortunate body double. This is like the Prince and the Pauper, if theprince were a homicidal rapist. The film prays on our fears ofhelplessness as Latif is forced to do Uday's bidding, or his familywill be punished. Dominic Cooper is incredible in a double performance,where you soon forget he is playing both parts. His Uday is a cartoonvillain that is kind of dorky, but he knows how to capture the manicviolence. As Latif he is a strong but broken man, who in a way inspiresthose around him to stand up to Uday. The film does well to shock,without ever becoming too gratuitous. Sometimes it shows the violence,sometimes the aftermath, and sometimes the mere mention of what hashappened is enough to make you cringe. Tamahori, as his past wouldsuggest, is more comfortable with action than out and out tension.Something tells me I should have been as scared of Uday as I am ofPesci in Scorsese films. This isn't Cooper's fault, but the fast natureof the movie and the blaring 80's soundtrack. People can debate whetherany of this is true or not, but the film makes for a diabolical treat,one that doesn't glorify a life of excess.
shan ariabod (29 April 2012)
Please see above summary
The actors chosen for The Devils Double were chosen by CastingDirectors and the Director - was the Director happy with the castingchoices as those actors were clearly poorly chosen. Do Directors andCasting Directors work together before a movie is in progress or justleave to chance? Do Casting Directors really know about organic actingas it was clearly not the case in this movie.Dirctors and Casting Directors should be properly trained in a course,even a crash course in Drama School to learn what acting and thechoosing of actors and what real organic acting is all about beforethey are aloud to continue making poor choices and disappoint thepublic with abominably and badly produced movies and an embarrassmentto those who are acting or involved in those movies.
Review total: 20, showing from 1 to 20