Review: Charlie Wilson’s War

There is a surprising amount of humor for a film based on a true story, especially one involving Afghanistan and the Soviets. And credit should go to the wonderful script by Aaron Sorkin. His portrayal of Charlie Wilson as the womanizer who loves to drink is delightful. The dialogue is sharp and witty while never feeling false or pretentious. It offers up a smart satire on a very real situation that changed the course of history. Yet it is so cleverly crafted that it is never bogged down by that fact. It is sentimental when it needs to be and also thought provoking, and of course, very funny. It is a delightful change of pace to have an intelligent film based on true life politics that offers more than just your average, dull and humorless film

Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Phillip Seymour Hoffman have to be a dream cast for this kind of picture. And luckily, all of them are used incredibly well. Mr. Hanks (more about Roberts and Hoffman later) as Charlie is spot on with his take on the role. Whether he is discussing issues of a nativity scene that seems to be offending folks, or whether or not some Playboy model saw him doing cocaine at a party, he offers up a very real person without becoming a caricature. He is obviously obsessed with lovely ladies (good for him) and he enjoys a drink on several occasions. His office workers are all very attractive girls who not only look smoking hot, but they seem to be a great team to have on your side. Hanks Wilson drinks, he parties and he is looking for nothing more in life than being a Congressmen from Texas who likes to have a good time. That is until he finds himself fascinated and distraught over the atrocities being committed on the Afghan people by the Soviets.

I appreciate what Mike Nichols did here. He offers up a sharp and concise vision as we follow Charlie Wilson partying in a hot tub with a few naked chicks. While later on, we see him watching the poor and ravaged group of Afghans who are being brutalized. His direction never seems forced or over stylized. And the use of real life war and attacks offer up a stark vision which is polar opposite to the life Charlie leads. He never panders to the audience for sympathy. He only works with the satire within the script and uses his cast appropriately to bring tell the story. Yet at times, the deliberately lighter tone sometimes lessens the violence and horror that surrounds what is happening. I didn’t feel as touched or heartbroken as I could have which may be due to the satirical structure. Don’t get me wrong, I really appreciated that more humorous approach, but sometimes it lessens the impact.

The most impressive performance aside from Hanks, rests with Phillip Seymour Hoffman as CIA Agent Gust Avrakotos. I can’t say I really dug the wig, but it felt real for the character. This is a dude who probably has a really bad comb-over and has tried and failed at Rogaine, so he now sports a bad wig. It worked, as did his entire performance. He completes a transformation, as Mr. Hoffman tends to do, and he felt completely accurate. His delivery and his timing are razor sharp. Both he and Mr. Hanks offer up some impressive scenes together and it makes for a very likable duo.

As for Julia Roberts, well, her character annoyed the hell out of me. But with that said, I also bought her in the role as well. She is a the sixth richest woman in Texas trying to raise money to help the Afghans. I hated her makeup, her pretentious attitude and the way she carried herself, but occasionally, I would remember I was watching Julia. It is still a fine performance that only feels pretend in a couple of spots. I also really dug Amy Adams as Charlie’s assistant. She is smart and funny and has a nice cat fight moment with Julia’s Joanne Herring. In fact, the cast is strong all around, even down to “Charlie’s Angels”, the ladies who work in Wilson’s office.