Movie Review: "Charlie Wilson's War" (2007)

I have to say, seeing Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts back on the big screen again was a treat. Toss in Philip Seymore Hoffman and Amy Adams, and the cast of Charlie Wilson’s War was top-notch.

Besides The Da Vinci Code, which I refuse to see, the last real movie that Tom Hanks did was The Terminal back in 2004. And the awful Ocean’s 12 was the previous time Julia Roberts was up on the big screen. So it’s been awhile for those two.

They both shine here in Charlie Wilson’s War, in fact, the entire cast is superb. Even Emily Blunt makes a brief cameo appearance, if you can call it that.

The plot revolves around a Texas congressman named Charlie Wilson, played by Hanks, who spurs efforts to help Afghanistan fight the Soviets during the Cold War in the 1980s. It’s a true story of a man who is a flawed and nutty politician who takes on this task and essentially changes history with it, for a long time to come.

He finds help from a rebel CIA agent played by Philip Seymore Hoffman, who does a flawless and funny portrayal of Gust “Gus” Avrakotos. Roberts is a Texas socialite who basically turns Wilson onto this whole thing by setting up a meeting with a Pakistani dictator.

The fighters in Afghanistan are no match for the Soviets who rape their woman, kill children with toy bombs and basically annihilate villages with battle choppers who have no way to defend themselves. Wilson realizes if they can bring down the helicopters, the tide of the war could be changed.

The United States had great interest in keeping Russia from winning that war, but could do nothing directly, so they use covert means to get the job done.

This true story based movie was written by Aaron Sorkin, who has a long history of liberal bias in his writing, like The West Wing, Sports Night and Studio 60. Some of the scenes in Charlie Wilson remind you a bit of walking through the White House hallways with Martin Sheen and Rob Lowe.

But the script is good and the story eye-opening. I find that as I grow older, I realize what I’ve missed out on in terms of history when I was younger. This war and the help the US gave turned the balance of power in the Middle East which affects us to this day.

Sorkin makes erie comparisons to that war and the one we’re currently fighting in Iraq.

The movie is up for five Golden Globes, for the top three actors in the film, the writing and best picture. The interesting part is that the best picture category it’s up for is Musical of Comedy.

There are a ton of funny parts in this film, but I guess I would have a hard time classifying it as a comedy. But perhaps that’s just because there are some pretty poignant moments when Wilson sees what’s actually going on in refugee camps along the border of Pakistan.

All in all, a very enjoyable film, with a great look at some of the history that the U.S. itself helped shape in the Middle East.

AML Rating: B+