Charlie Wilson's War

A congressman (Tom Hanks), a socialite (Julia Roberts) and a CIA agent (Philip Seymour Hoffman) are instrumental to the funding of freedom fighters working against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Directed by: Mike Nichols
Starring: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts | Full Cast & Crew
Year: 2007
MPAA Rating: R
Genres: Docudrama, Drama
Running Time: 1:42
Language: English
Country: United States
Color type: Color

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Reviews

REELZ REVIEW

"Tom Hanks returns to form in one of the most enjoyable movies of 2007...." [more]

— Thomas Leupp

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- Thomas Leupp
  
  ReelzChannel.com, December 14, 2007
  
  From history's "stranger than fiction" file comes Charlie Wilson's War, the true story of how a little-known playboy congressman from Texas almost single-handedly engineered Afghanistan's defeat of the Soviet army, turning the tide of the Cold War against the Evil Empire for good. A bit of an exaggeration, you say? Perhaps -- but Mike Nichols' superbly entertaining account can be forgiven for overstating its subject's historical significance for the sake of good drama -- and even better comedy.
  
  Indeed, that Charlie Wilson's War is one of the funniest movies of the year is one of the foremost pleasant surprises of the so-called "Awards Season" -- and a testament to Aaron Sorkin's lively script, which plays like an irreverent, R-rated version of The West Wing.
  
  After a mild slump, Tom Hanks triumphantly returns to form in the title role as the swaggering, scotch-swilling architect of a covert scheme to funnel aid to Afghan rebels. And while Julia Roberts provides a fine foil as Wilson's canny political ally/occasional lover Joanne Herring, it's Philip Seymour Hoffman who proves Hanks' most able on-screen partner as the rumpled, gleefully potty-mouthed CIA operative Gust Avrakotos. Hoffman and Hanks are a joy to watch as they light up the screen with their witty, rapid-fire exchanges.
  
  It's not all fun and games, of course. The business of running a covert war is serious stuff, and for the most part Nichols transitions between comedy and tragedy flawlessly. At times, however, attempts to relate the events of Charlie Wilson's War to our current geopolitical milieu, replete with several moments foreshadowing the rise of religious conflicts, feel forced and unnecessary. After all, the consequences of alliances formed throughout the Cold War are plainly evident to anyone who's caught a glimpse of CNN over the last decade. We don't need a sermon from Sorkin to remind us of the historical irony Nichols' camera has already abundantly displayed: that the very people we backed would soon grow to hate us.
  
  What the story could have used is more information about Roberts' character. The splendid screwball comedy dynamic between Herring and Wilson ends abruptly -- and awkwardly -- toward the end of the second act with the out-of-left-field revelation that Herring has remarried. Wilson winces and tears up at the news -- a puzzling response for a man who seemingly viewed the headstrong socialite as little more than a high-class booty call.
  
  The pacing certainly wouldn't have suffered for it. Charlie Wilson's War clocks in at a brisk 97 minutes and is consistently riveting throughout. While the real-life Charlie Wilson may not have single-handedly won the Cold War, his exploits did provide fodder for one of the most enjoyable films of 2007 -- and that's no small feat.
  
  ReelzChannel Rating:
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Summer Movie Guide

July 2008

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MOVIE NEWS

Saturday, April 26

Movies for a Stay-at-Home Saturday Night

On Pay-Per-View, Steve Carell is a newspaper advice columnist with problems of his own in the romantic comedy Dan in Real Life.

On HBO, the dreaded rage virus turns London into a zombie paradise in the horror sequel 28 Weeks Later.

On Starz, Adam Sandler gets serious as a tormented NYC firefighter in Mike Binder's drama Reign Over Me.

On Cinemax, Hilary Swank visits a small town afflicted by the 10 Biblical plagues in the supernatural thriller The Reaping.

And on DVD, Tom Hanks plays a hard-partying Texas congressman who helps drive the Soviets out of Afghanistan in the hilarious true story Charlie Wilson's War.

Posted 04/26/2008 by Thomas

Dan in Real Life | Charlie Wilson's War | Reign Over Me | The Reaping | 28 Weeks Later

Tuesday, April 22

New DVD Releases

The virally-marketed sci-fi blockbuster Cloverfield leads off this week's DVD Tuesday, allowing those of you who didn't stay till the end of the closing credits a chance to see what got audiences so excited. Other releases include the Guillermo del Toro-produced horror flick The Orphanage (which our own Heather Huntington positively adored); Tamara Jenkins' dramedy The Savages, featuring an Oscar-nominated performance from Laura Linney; and the Japanese horror remake One Missed Call.

Our pick for the week is the uproariously funny Charlie Wilson's War, starring Tom Hanks as the swaggering Texas congressman who almost single-handedly defeated the Soviets in Afghanistan. Included on the disc is a cool featurette profiling the real Charlie Wilson.

Posted 04/22/2008 by Thomas

Cloverfield | Charlie Wilson's War | The Savages | One Missed Call | The Orphanage

Sunday, December 30

Weekend Box Office: Treasure Triumphant Again

National Treasure: Book of Secrets held its spot atop the box office rankings, raking in $35.6 million over the weekend. Family flick Alvin and the Chipmunks continued its surprisingly strong run, grabbing second place with a $30 million gross. Following close behind was Will Smith's juggernaut I Am Legend, which took in a healthy $27.5 million. Rounding out the top five were Charlie Wilson's War and Juno, which took in $11.8 million and $10.3 million, respectively.

Posted 12/30/2007 by Thomas

National Treasure: Book of Secrets | I Am Legend | Charlie Wilson's War | Juno | Alvin and the Chipmunks

Monday, December 24

Treasure leads another strong weekend box office

The box office appears poised to finish 2007 on a surprisingly high note, with National Treasure: Book of Secrets leading another strong weekend at the Cineplex.

On the heels of I Am Legend's impressive $76 million debut last week, Nicolas Cage's action/adventure sequel took in $45.5 million -- over $10 million more than its predecessor, 2004's National Treasure, made in its debut. Legend grabbed second place, continuing its impressive run with a $34 million gross in its second week in release, while talking animal comedy Alvin and the Chipmunks placed third with a $29 million take. Rounding out the top five were Charlie Wilson's War and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, which took in $9.6 and $9.3 million, respectively.

Source: boxofficemojo.com.

Posted 12/24/2007 by Thomas

National Treasure: Book of Secrets | I Am Legend | Alvin and the Chipmunks | Charlie Wilson's War | Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Friday, December 21

By the Numbers: Reviews of this Weekend's New Releases

Those of you seeking a respite from the insanity of the Holiday season are in luck: a host of great new releases arrive at the Cineplex this weekend, including offerings from Judd Apatow, Tom Hanks and Nicolas Cage. But can any of them take down Will Smith's mighty I Am Legend?

A rundown of our reviews of this weekend's new releases:

National Treasure: Book of Secrets
"If 2004's National Treasure was Indiana Jones Lite, this disappointing sequel could very well be called National Treasure Lite." [Full Review]

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
"Ranks as one of the best parody movies in years, a fitting tribute to the likes of the Zucker Brothers and John Landis." [Full Review]

Charlie Wilson's War
"While the real-life Wilson may not have single-handedly won the Cold War, his exploits did provide fodder for one of the most enjoyable films of 2007." [Full Review]

P.S. I Love You
"Shmoopy or not, the movie worked for me. You show a dead loved one, and I pretty much well up—and that’s P.S. I Love You’s stock and trade." [Full Review]

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
"Classic Burton—stylishly and stylistically nightmarish, dark and dusty, and with just enough quirk thrown in." [Full Review]

Also opening: Steep, Blonde Ambition, Flake

Posted 12/21/2007 by Thomas

National Treasure: Book of Secrets | Charlie Wilson's War | Walk Hard | Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street | P.S. I Love You