Author: Marie Holzer
Review Date: 2008-05-08


Description:

Academy Award winners Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman star in Charlie Wilson's War, coming to DVD April 22, 2008 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Based on the outrageous true story about three unlikely heroes who join forces to lead the largest, most successful covert operation in history, this wickedly funny film is directed by Academy Award winner Mike Nichols. Emmy Award-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin brings George Crile's best-selling book to the screen.

Charlie Wilson (Hanks) was a bachelor congressman from Texas whose "Good Time Charlie" exterior masked an extraordinary mind, a deep sense of patriotism and a passion for the underdog. In the early 1980s the underdog was Afghanistan - which had just been brutally invaded by the Russians. Charlie's longtime friend, patron and sometime lover was Joanne Herring (Roberts), one of the wealthiest women in Texas and a virulent anti-communist. Believing the American response to the Russian invasion was anemic at best, she prodded Charlie into doing more for the Mujahideen (Afghan freedom fighters). Charlie's partner in this uphill endeavor was CIA Agent Gust Avrakotos (Hoffman), a blue-collar operative in a company of Ivy League blue bloods. Together, the three of them - Charlie, Joanne and Gust - traveled the world to form unlikely alliances among the Pakistanis, Israelis, Egyptians, arms dealers, law makers and a belly dancer. Their success was remarkable. Funding for covert operations against the Soviets went from $5 million to $1 billion annually. The Red Army retreated out of Afghanistan. When asked how a group of peasants was able to deliver such a decisive blow to the army of a superpower, Pakistani President Mohammad Zia ul-Haq responded simply, "Charlie did it."


Charlie Wilson's War Review:

With a cast and crew like this, how can you go wrong? Charlie Wilson's War does not disappoint. Tom Hank shines as the carefree rascal Charlie Wilson, congressman of the 2nd congressional district in the great state of Texas who loves breasts and blow. Upon the request of Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts), he takes a meeting with the Afghani President Zia and listens to his request for support. Considering it's the early 1980s and the height of the Cold War, Wilson is hesitant to help. That is until President Zia invites Wilson to see the refugee camps. After his visit, this good ol' boy takes up the Afghani cause with the help of a prickly CIA agent, Gust Avrakotos.

Considering all that is still happening in that part of the world, Charlie Wilson's War is a timely and educating glimpse into the complexities of international politics and the American need to help or butt in, depending on how you look at it. Both funny and disheartening, it makes you think and laugh in the same scene. The Bonus Features in the DVD only provide more information to add depth and interest to this film.

My favorite bit though, is that the story ends where it begins but still manages to startle you with its meaning. And the final quote… well, I won't give it away but I believe most Americans would agree with the real Charlie Wilson's sentiment.



Rating: A+