Director Mike Nichols makes the book by George Crile, adapted into an irresistible, screenplay by satiric writing genius Aaron Sorkin sail across the screen in this multilayered political comedy that delivers on every angle.
Based on a true story, the plot flows as follows: 'In the early 1980s, Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks) is a womanizing US congressional representative from Texas who seemed to be in the minor leagues, except for the fact that he is a member of two major foreign policy and covert-ops committees. However, prodded by his major conservative supporter, Houston Socialite Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts), Wilson learns about the plight the people are suffering in the brutal Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. With the help of the maverick CIA agent, Gustav "Gust" Avrakotos (Philip Seymour Hoffman), Wilson dedicates his canny political efforts to supply the Afghan mujahedeen with the weapons and support to defeat the Soviet Union. However, Charlie Wilson eventually learns that while military victory can be had, there are other consequences and prices to that fight that are ignored to everyone's sorrow.'
The supporting cast is very strong with Amy Adams as Charlie's assistant, Mary-Bonner Baker, Wynn Everett, Rachel Nichols and Shiri Appleby as Charlie's office girls, Om Puri, Emily Blunt and on and on. Philip Seymour Hoffman offers the finest performance of his too short career, Tom hanks shines as Charlie in all aspect of the character's qualities, and Julia Roberts is a haughty sensation. This cast allows the viewer to laugh at the shenanigans of the Washington DC political crowd - a very timely film to see today as the disruptions of the Middle East continue to fester and Congress just continues to be 'Congressional'.... For those who applauded the release of the film in 2007 and for those who have never experienced this little satire, now is a great tie to view it.
Based on a true story, the plot flows as follows: 'In the early 1980s, Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks) is a womanizing US congressional representative from Texas who seemed to be in the minor leagues, except for the fact that he is a member of two major foreign policy and covert-ops committees. However, prodded by his major conservative supporter, Houston Socialite Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts), Wilson learns about the plight the people are suffering in the brutal Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. With the help of the maverick CIA agent, Gustav "Gust" Avrakotos (Philip Seymour Hoffman), Wilson dedicates his canny political efforts to supply the Afghan mujahedeen with the weapons and support to defeat the Soviet Union. However, Charlie Wilson eventually learns that while military victory can be had, there are other consequences and prices to that fight that are ignored to everyone's sorrow.'
The supporting cast is very strong with Amy Adams as Charlie's assistant, Mary-Bonner Baker, Wynn Everett, Rachel Nichols and Shiri Appleby as Charlie's office girls, Om Puri, Emily Blunt and on and on. Philip Seymour Hoffman offers the finest performance of his too short career, Tom hanks shines as Charlie in all aspect of the character's qualities, and Julia Roberts is a haughty sensation. This cast allows the viewer to laugh at the shenanigans of the Washington DC political crowd - a very timely film to see today as the disruptions of the Middle East continue to fester and Congress just continues to be 'Congressional'.... For those who applauded the release of the film in 2007 and for those who have never experienced this little satire, now is a great tie to view it.