Charlie Wilsons War

Charlie Wilson's War

Directed by: Mike Nichols

Starring: Tom Hanks

Genre: Comedy/Drama

Run Time: 102 min.

Release Date: December 2007

On The Web: Official Site

Teaser: Movie Trailer

Reviewed by Byron Merritt

When director Mike Nichols is attached to a project, actors and studios listen. From THE GRADUATE to THE BIRDCAGE, Nichols’ eye for a specific brand of snappy and broad-ranging comedy is something to be cherished and respected.

That CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR is based on actual events also makes this story all the more interesting. Taking place in the office of Congressman Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks, THE DA VINCI CODE), we’re taken on a wild ride of political manipulation that helps defeat communist Russia during the Cold War. Now one might think that such a fantastic thing as eliminating the communist threat would come from an upstanding and righteous man. Not so. Charlie’s a womanizing, drinking, and drug-sniffing man who’s responsible for a little known congressional district in Texas. But he’s also a damn good looking guy, and he’s caught the eye of southern socialite Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts, CHARLOTTE’S WEB), the sixth richest woman in Texas. She implores Charlie to go to Afghanistan and witness the atrocities being committed upon that little-known nation in the name of communism. So Charlie goes and his life is turned around. He comes home and begins pressuring his constituents to place more money and military aid to the freedom fighters in Afghanistan.

With Charlie’s ideas comes a gruff CIA agent named Gust Avrakotos (Philip Seymour Hoffman, CAPOTE) who’s abrasive demeanor and beer-gut shape is in direct contrast to Charlie’s. But the two learn to cope with one another and bring victory to the Afghan fighters.

The most notable performances in the film come not from Hanks, but from Hoffman and Julia Roberts. Philip Hoffman’s whip-bang line delivery is astonishing and absolutely hilarious (“What is US strategy?” “Most strictly speaking, we don’t have one. But we’re working on it.” “Who’s we?” “Me and three other guys.”) And Roberts’ performance was quite a surprise. She played the soft but opinionated and strong Ms. Herring exceptionally well, giving one of her finest performances to date. I also enjoyed Amy Adams’ (ENCHANTED) role as Charlie’s personal secretary. She was always in the background and always right-on target with her beauty and wit. But even she couldn’t stand up to the power that is Philip Seymour Hoffman (he definitely deserved the Oscar nod he got this year for his performance here).

This is a funny, sexy, and downright interesting story that few people probably know about. One can’t help but wonder what new gem Nichols might be working on now and who will be in its cast.