Charlie Wilson's War
The timing of the release of Charlie Wilson’s War could not have been better for the movie. Political events are such that for the first time in many years, people in the audience could pretend to understand the movie. The movie tells the story of Charlie Wilson and the role that he played in the Russian/Afghan war of the 80’s. Most people are there for Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts and not a lesson in history. This was the first time in a theater I have heard so much talking as friends had to provide mini-history lessons to each other. This sadly is because Pakistan figures prominently in the movie and a single reference is made to Benazir Bhutto’s father which confused the audience. But, it made people happy that they even knew the name as when Rudy Giuliani’s name was mentioned a few times. The movie is guaranteed to do well because the audience felt they got it.
There are two stories going on in Charlie Wilson’s War. The lead story is that about the man, what he did, and how he did it. (Provided weapons to Afghanistan to fight the Russians). Charlie is a hard partier, a lady’s man, and sometimes does his job. Tom Hanks’ portrayal of Charlie is fun and even better when on-screen with Philip Seymour Hoffman, who plays the partner-in-crime. The dialogue and chemistry between these two characters makes the movie fun during those scenes. The second story is political and leans towards showing the US screwing up Afghanistan (true) and takes an implied stand that we’re where we are today because of past policy (also true). But, there is a heavy handed approach where this message is driven in and this detracts from story of Charlie although others might argue that it is part of the story of Charlie.
I’m never good about movies that portray or are set in the Middle East because there are too many clichés and this movie had them. I enjoyed the banter between Hanks and Hoffman and if you go to see Charlie Wilson’s War, go to watch the two leads and take satisfaction in the short 97 minute running time.
There are two stories going on in Charlie Wilson’s War. The lead story is that about the man, what he did, and how he did it. (Provided weapons to Afghanistan to fight the Russians). Charlie is a hard partier, a lady’s man, and sometimes does his job. Tom Hanks’ portrayal of Charlie is fun and even better when on-screen with Philip Seymour Hoffman, who plays the partner-in-crime. The dialogue and chemistry between these two characters makes the movie fun during those scenes. The second story is political and leans towards showing the US screwing up Afghanistan (true) and takes an implied stand that we’re where we are today because of past policy (also true). But, there is a heavy handed approach where this message is driven in and this detracts from story of Charlie although others might argue that it is part of the story of Charlie.
I’m never good about movies that portray or are set in the Middle East because there are too many clichés and this movie had them. I enjoyed the banter between Hanks and Hoffman and if you go to see Charlie Wilson’s War, go to watch the two leads and take satisfaction in the short 97 minute running time.
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