The Devil’s Double (2011)

“The Devil’s Double” is the tale of an Iraqi Army officer named Latif Yahia who was coerced – under threat of death – to serve as the body double of Uday Hussein, a heinous psychopath who saw his status as Saddam’s son as a blank check to torture, murder, and rape. True story? Not likely. Fascinating? Endlessly. Uday’s life is portrayed as a depraved reality version of “Scarface,” the American dream made into a demonic nightmare of debauchery and excess. It’s a twisted analogy, but not crazy: Uday coveted American products, and likes his sports cars. Director Lee Tamahori (“Once Were Warriors” and then much Hollywood crap) mixes grisly horror, war, sex, action, drama and satire, and shows the fearful anxiety that ruled Iraq for decades. It’s not a deep film, but it’s strong and disturbs. Assisted by special effects, body doubles (heh), and fast editing, Dominic Cooper – a supporting player in “Captain America” -- burns hardcore as Uday and Latif, one a monster unleashed, and the other an everyday man scared that he may lose his soul to the beast. One wonders if Uday had come to power, how many millions he would have killed with sick glee. B+