Charlie Wilson's War

I loved this movie. It is very fun from start to finish; and it's even hilariously funny in places. It is one of the most entertaining movies I've seen in a long time. But, more importantly, it tells the true story of an important event in our recent history that many people don't know much about: America's secret efforts to support the Mujahideen resistance forces in Afghanistan during the decade-long Soviet-Afghan war (1979-89). If you have an interest in Cold War history, or if you want to better understand the background behind the current conflict in Afghanistan, you must watch this movie. Tom Hanks does a brilliant job portraying Congressman Charlie Wilson, a colorful Texas Democrat with a reputation for being a playboy and one of the most ineffective members of Congress, who single-handedly orchestrated America's covert war in Afghanistan. Julia Roberts is also spectacular in her role as an outspoken Texas socialite who was the chief lobbyist for America's involvement in Afghanistan. But it is Philip Seymour Hoffman who steals the show with his portrayal of the gritty, curmudgeonly CIA officer who ran the operation in Afghanistan. Other excellent performances come from Amy Adams (as Wilson's assistant), and Ned Beatty (as a senior member of Congress). I will warn you that the movie is rated R: There is profanity throughout, nudity and sexual content in a few scenes, and drug use in a few scenes (Charlie Wilson was a playboy, after all). So, if that sort of thing offends you, please use your own discretion. But, if that doesn't bother you, do yourself a favor and watch this excellent film. It's hard to believe that a true story can be so entertaining, and at the same time so educational.

I have to honestly say this is one of the most politically biased films I've ever seen. As a conservative, its angle was so slanted that it managed to ruin its entertainment value entirely. Its writer, Aaron Sorkin, is also the author of "The West Wing" which will not surprise anyone once the credits play. The movie begins with Charlie Wilson saying, "That John Murtha is as clean as my mother's floor" in regards to an alleged ethics violations and goes downhill from there. Rudi Giuliani also gets dragged into the muck and his name comes up as a prosecutor trying to keep the protagonist down in a drug investigation (for which he was guilty). Wilson, just as with the majority of his leftist peers, thinks that with individual action the means always justify the ends. He bragged of first falling in love with his country after he manipulated a group of black voters to go to the polls and reject a guy who once killed his dog. As it always is with these people, the personal is political and war is permanently declared on reason.

All sorts of contemporary political issues are alluded to here such as the ACLU trying to ban Christian displays in public spaces. Predictably, Tom Hanks's Congressman Wilson parrots today's leftist talking points. He informs a preacher that he should move his nativity scene down the road to a church. Then he seduces (or is seduced?) by the preacher's daughter. We find that she's sexually fast and smokes dope--but of course! Yawn, are there any other kinds of preacher's daughters to be found in Hollywood films? The message is all the same politically correct counter-cultural dreck by which the left has been undermining this nation for forty years. Most offensive of all, was that of Julia Roberts being a member of the Minute Women, which automatically made her a right-wing crank as if being opposed to communism was somehow more of a sin than advocating for the totalitarian suppression of individual rights and the concomitant extermination of 100 million souls over the course of the last century. The film's abhorrent attempt to indoctrinate spoiled fine performances by Hanks, Julia Roberts, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Frankly, I can't help but wonder why Michael Moore didn't direct this one.

This is a good look at how one person can make a difference, when that person is armed with the Truth and Facts. "Charley Wilson's War" is an enjoyable movie full of Academy Award winning actors (Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman)I hope they do a movie about the 2008 Presidential Primary race and how Senator Hillary Clinton earned more votes than any other Presidential Primary candidate in history- Maybe base the movie on the work of Peniel Cronin, Primary versus Caucus.

This movie is very well done with a strong cast. It's an up close look at a little known piece of history that still has significance for current affairs. The script uses humor to help us get through a serious set of events. The whole situation is thought-provoking both as to the methods used to achieve results and the cultures of the players in all the countries involved, including the US.

This movie will appeal more to the "West Wing" fans than the "24" fans... the only war scenes in the film are news reel shorts in between Tom Hanks and Phillip Seymour Hoffman's maneuverings in the halls of Congress and the CIA. This movie gives a great portrayal of war as seen from the perspective of the power brokers inside the beltway. If you are into the political drama and eccentric, funny characters, you will love it.