Charlie Wilson's War Review

Charlie Wilson’s War has received quite a bit of reward pub lately. It always throws me for a loop when movies get reward pub yet don’t come out in theaters until shortly before the award season. I wasn’t quite sure what this movie was when I went to see it, but I can say it is defiantly worth the pub.

Charlie Wilson’s War chronicles the true story of Congressman Charlie Wilson’s (Tom Hanks) effort to fund Afghanistan’s war against the Soviet Union in the 1980s. Wilson uses his position on the Subcommittee of Defense to fund a covert war against the Soviet Union. Wilson enlists the help of the rich and beautiful Joanne Henning (Julia Roberts) and the rough around the edges Gust Avrakotos (Phillip Seymour Hoffman). The movie sheds some historical light on a subject that not many people know about, and it also sheds some light on how people like Osama Bin Ladin came into power in today’s age.

Tom Hanks plays a great Charlie Wilson, who is a scotch drinking congressman with an affinity for loose women. He perfectly manages take the edge of serious moments of the movie with some great comedic touch. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is superb in this movie. His character, Gust, is a rough around the edges, blunt secret agent who is basically the anti James Bond (as referenced in the movie). His comedic timing is perfect and every scene with Hanks and Hoffman in it will have you laughing at some point. The movie takes on a serious issue, but it also contains a lot of humor. It is written by the famous Aaron Sorkin, so the dialogue is pretty reminiscent of the West Wing and other projects he has worked on.

Overall the movie is funny, interesting and relevant. I would recommend watching it just for the scenes consisting of Hanks and Hoffman, just realize they don’t meet up until about halfway through the movie.

Grade: A