Fantastic movie. It really shows that the USA went in with the best intentions, but as (the real) Charlie Wilson put it: we fucked up the end.

This was good performance from everyone involved. From Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman to screenwriter Aaron Sorkin. I can't say that this was star actor Tom Hanks his best movie, but only because there are so many good movies from this guy. But its definitely high up the list.

A Cliff's Notes version of American involvement in the Afghan / Soviet war in the mid '80s, this covered quite a bit of ground in a relatively short amount of time. Tom Hanks's Wilson is a charismatic, entertaining character with the talent to always come up with the right words for the moment, but he's upstaged every time he shares the screen with Philip Seymour Hoffman's thick-spectacled CIA op, Gust Avrakotos. The two make for a dynamite pairing that can cover extremely deep, complicated topics in casual conversation without seeming overly technical or dull, which was certainly a huge risk in a film that spends so much time behind closed doors in Washington. Julia Roberts can't even begin to keep up, and is something of an uncomfortable fit when she's forced into such scenes. An important history lesson, and a brief glimpse behind the staged photos and forced smiles of the political meet-and-greet, this sheds a lot of light on our modern standing in the middle east.

_Charlie Wilson's War_ is an exceptional movie that offers a unique and insightful perspective into the workings of the U.S. Congress. The film exceeded my expectations with its intriguing storyline, excellent performances, and great chemistry between Tom Hanks and Philip Seymour Hoffman. The use of real-life footage from the time period further enhances the film's authenticity and adds a powerful element to the story. What's even more impressive is how the movie's themes and lessons can still be applied to current events and conflicts happening around the world today. It's an important movie that tells a story that still resonates today.

Quality abounds. The cast, the script, the tightness of the pacing.

It's not without flaws. Stock footage cheapen the look, the American political heroism.

The scene with the revolving discussions between the female staff and Gust. Excellent.

Sorkin's always delivers a fantastic witty, intelligent script that is mired with condescension. This one is like a leftover West Wing special.

All in all, well made and moves at a chippy pace. Worth a watch.


7.5/10

This is the perfect example of where the rotten tomatoes score is completely misleading. I can see how it got an 82% as it wasn't terrible. That said, the parts where a zillion times better than the sum. And let me get this straight - a democratic had to try to convince republicans to go to war? Please. From what I read the story is pure fiction.

Estos gringos culiaos. Esperaba un poco más de comedia negra, confieso.