SummaryCharlie Wilson's War is the true story of how a playboy congressman, a renegade CIA agent, and a beautiful Houston socialite joined forces to lead the largest and most successful covert operation in history. Their efforts contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, with consequences that reverberate throughou...
SummaryCharlie Wilson's War is the true story of how a playboy congressman, a renegade CIA agent, and a beautiful Houston socialite joined forces to lead the largest and most successful covert operation in history. Their efforts contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, with consequences that reverberate throughou...
Just a little grace note. 'Charlie Wilson's War', the book by George Crile, tells the truly incredible story of the actions of a reprobate, completely corrupt congressman who changed the world. Although the movie whitewashes Wilson (whose personal morality was much worse than shown) and treats the material lightly (it plays as a comedy), the history is pretty much accurate.
Superb performances from Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and the brilliant Philip Seymour Hoffman have helped create a well-written, cunningly humorous and era-driven tale based on a true story surrounding 1980s congressman Charlie Wilson.
Aaron Sorkin's writing capability is completely out the open in this film and its nothing short of genius. Sure, the film is not going to run away with any honours because it does sometimes stray from the point by going from a biopic to a straight up war film. But it is definitely the acting capabilities and Soviet era surroundings which make this film worth 90+ mintues of your time.
The process by which this film plays out, i.e. funding the mujahideen to defeat the soviet onslaught in Afghanistan, is seen as the eventual ramifications which led to the events of 9/11. This shouldn't deter you from watching. The chemistry between Hanks and Hoffman in particular are wonderful scenes to watch, as they bounce off each other like Chuckle Brothers in suits.
Julia Roberts is delectable as Charlies 'friend' Joanne Herring, bringing a touch of elegance and class to to her role, and lest we forget the then up and coming Amy Adams as Wilson's assistant Bonnie Bach.
Hanks is a very convincing Charlie Wilson, he has clearly spent much of his time preparing for the role by learning mannerisms and through Sorkin's writing and Mike Nichols direction, has fluidly combined a business and pleasure persona to make a very likeable character.
The dialogue, as stated before, is very well written and spoken brilliantly by the cast, the chemistry is is natural and doesnt feel forced, and the lines in the film are delivered in a comedic, sometimes elitist fashion, but fun nonetheless.
Excellent talent at show here has resulted in a thoroughly enjoyable movie that will be hard not to like, and in several occasions, hard not to laugh at.
Of all the Middle East-theme movies this season, Mike Nichols' Charlie Wilson's War is the least political and most entertaining. That doesn't mean it's great, just that it's unimportant.
Rude, crude and hilarious, whether he's hitting on Joanne or brokering the sale of Soviet weapons through Israel and Islamic Pakistan, Hoffman is the film's sparking live wire.
It's a fascinating story, but Mr. Nichols and his actors never stop reminding us how fascinating it is. With the exception of Mr. Hoffman, a master of understatement, everyone acts up a storm, yet context is lacking.
The D.C. political jargon is kicked into high gear with "Charlie Wilson's War," but - if you can keep up with and look past the red tape - what emerges is a heartfelt, honest, and ultimately comforting political drama with a slam-bang performance from Philip Seymour Hoffman.
This movie was hilarious and considering the fact that it was based on politics made it even more amusing. I was not expecting what I got out of this movie.
An interesting film, in which the hypocrisy of politics is skillfully exploited.
This movie is difficult to assess. At first, it seems like a kind of satire on American politics, where an American congressman, in a totally improbable way, will play a decisive role in the development of one of the most important conflicts of the end of the 20th century: the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
In fact, Texan Charles Wilson is the most unlikely congressman for a situation that was both delicate and risky for the US: at the beginning of the film, we see him having fun with women, alcohol and drugs, and the way he looks be irresponsible, just another politician living off taxpayers. However, he will be able to handle the situation in Afghanistan and be the right man for the task, funding through the CIA the guerrillas who held the Russians back. In real life, he served in Congress between 1973 and 1997, and his actual contribution to the events reported here is, to say the least, debatable. However, the film was able to take advantage of George Crile's biographical book and make a good story out of that material, where Americans do what they have to do, look after their interests, regardless of what happens in the country of others. Yes, the chaos and human drama of the Afghans is just collateral damage and nothing more.
Tom Hanks is a very good master of the film and is excellent at the work ahead. It's not his best movie, and I think the actor is within a certain comfort zone here, without challenging himself too much, but it's a positive performance. Julia Roberts also did well, especially when she starred with Hanks. She hasn't been around much and seems to have had some bad luck along the way, but participating in this film was the actress's right choice. Seymour Hoffman had a sympathetic role in this film, playing the role of a sarcastic veteran spy, who becomes adorable in our eyes for the realistic and harsh way he looks at his surroundings. Even though I got famous with “Capote”, it's in this movie that I feel Hoffman really shows his worth.
Technically, the film is very good and has good production values, but it doesn't stand out, it lets the story and cast stand out. The cinematography is good and makes interesting use of a lot of old footage, and while the film isn't always happy about making us feel that this story takes place in the 80s (the sets and costumes sometimes seem undated), it will. being overtaken by the recurring mention of characters and events from that time. The soundtrack is good and plays its part discreetly.
this film is such a let-down. the story, cast, writer and director would seem a recipe for magic, though the aspect ratio, colouring, editing and the sheer rhythm are off. cliché over matter.
Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts are meant to be. Charlie Wilson's War is a fun, political addition to Mike Nichols' impressive catalogue of films. Although, not Nichols' finest achievement, this one is worth watching for Phillip Seymour Hoffman alone.