Charlie Wilson's War (2007)

Too much of everything

So much average

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Early 1980s. Charlie Wilson is a relatively unimportant and unproductive Texas congressman. He does have one advantage - he is on two important committees, covering foreign and military policy. He learns of the situation in Afghanistan and how the Russians are treating the Afghanis and is determined to help, through providing the Mujahideen with weapons. This sets in motion an unlikely sequence of deals and alliances. Excellent movie. Covers an important series of events in world history, the short-term consequences of which were positive, the long term less so. Does so in very light, funny fashion. This highlights the farcicalness of some of the events, and helps the story move along. It would have been a very dry movie if it was entirely serious.Despite the non-seriousness of much of the movie, has a very powerful and profound final message.Great acting by Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and, especially, Philip Seymour Hoffman.

A drama based on a Texas congressman Charlie Wilson's covert dealings in Afghanistan, where his efforts to assist rebels in their war with the Soviets have some unforeseen and long-reaching effects. Charlie Wilson's War (2007) is not exactly a bad film to be honest and Tom Hanks alongside the entire Cast of big names such as Amy Adams, Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman but that isn't enough to make the film great. It's a watchable disposable drama with some fine performances but it also drags some much and i felt myself getting bored to be honest plus Americans did f*cked up after this in just a few years if you know what i mean. I'll give it a solid 6 out of 10 nothing much and it's easily not one of Tom Hanks best films it's actually pretty forgettable too but it's simply alright mostly because of the Cast.

Hanks does wonderful with Wilson's TX accent and playboy personality, sarcastic wit and character development. Philip Seymour Hoffman's character is just totally hilarious. I loved when Hanks/Wilson asking him "Do you drink?" and he said, "Oh God, yeah!"SPOILER ALERTAs for accuracy, I don't understand the criticism of another reviewer that the film doesn't address "that the funding of the Afghan rebels led directly to the formation of Al-Qaeda and all that followed." Uhhhh, not exactly. 1. It was the sudden withdrawal of US support once Russia exited Afghanistan that left the power vacuum that was filled by al-Qaeda. 2. The film did allude to that in 2 ways; development in the plot that the funding suddenly reduced once the Commies were gone and the end on screen text that said "We f-d up the endplay."

Charlie Wilson's War walks a bizarre and uncommon line between political drama and playboy comedy. You won't find many films out there like it. Therefore, what Mike Nichols and co create on screen is a novel, entertaining film with a serious story to tell. It tells the story of Charlie Wilson, a playboy Texas Congressman who finds himself in an easy but very powerful position. His district doesn't want much, so he gets to vote yes a lot. And when a powerful woman in his district becomes passionate about the cause, Charlie finds himself in Afghan refugee camps and his view of the world changes.Aaron Sorkin is a master of words, but I won't pretend that Charlie Wilson's War is a Social Network or a West Wing. The script of Charlie Wilson's War is a lot weaker than those are. But its still classic Sorkin - politically savvy, full of razor sharp dialogue and has some incredibly memorable moments. Case in point, the scene where Gust Avrakatos screams at Henry Craverly about not giving him a promotion, or the scene in which Wilson meets Avrakatos for the first time. There's a lot of banter going on in this film, even in scenes where you wouldn't expect, and its utterly delightful.Mike Nichols does some great work behind the scenes. The aforementioned scene where Avrakatos meets Wilson unfolds like a play, its really quite special. Avrakatos goes out on door, Wilson's staff come in the other. Wilson picks up his dialogue between both with aplomb. The contrast between two scenes, one in which Wilson is on fire making billion dollar deals and the other he's trying to rebuild, is very powerful and very effective.But there are times where I questioned the choices Nichols and Sorkin made. There are lines of dialogue that really don't fit ("I have no ***** idea who this guy is!" breaks up what is otherwise a master scene between Slattery and Hoffman) and scenes that make even less sense (apparently Joanne gets married during the film, to Wilson's loneliness, but one scene later they openly kiss). Some scenes are funny that shouldn't be, and there isn't as much emotional devastation to the camp scenes as there should be. The film's climactic scene, ostensibly put in because producer Tom Hanks didn't want a sad ending, really screws up the message its trying to make.But the film's strongest asset, and the one that makes up for all of the flaws, is the masterful acting. Tom Hanks is startlingly well cast as Charlie Wilson. At times, he could be an older version of Forrest Gump, he's so jovial and loud. He carries the film's funniest moments and also its more tender ones (even those that don't fit are good because of Hanks). Amy Adams is sweetly adorable as Hanks' executive assistant, with her big eyes and trustworthy nervous smile, she wins the audience over with ease, especially during some of the refugee camp scenes. Julia Roberts is serviceable, showing a bit of talent but mostly just hiding under that huge wig. But it is in this moment where I must dedicate space to Phillip Seymour Hoffman. This is one of my favourite performances of his, and likely his most memorable after Boogie Nights. He's the perfect balance of calm and furious. He nails Sorkin's beautiful words with style, and he creates cinematic gold. What a well-earned Oscar nod, and were it not for Javier Bardem, I think Hoffman might have taken home a second Oscar. Charlie Wilson's War walks an untread path, and comes out unscathed. Its not perfect, but it handles the weird balance very well. Its well-acted, well-scripted and very entertaining, and ultimately, you can't ask for much more.