Charlie Wilson's War

Charlie Wilson. United States Congressman. When we first meet Charlie (Tom Hanks) he's not speaking in the House of Representatives standing up for the little guy, nor is he visiting his beloved Texas Second Congressional district. He's in a hot tub surrounded by strippers and drugs. Still, we see that he does take his job seriously, as he takes special interest in a news story on television about Afghanistan's war with the Soviet Union. In 1980, the Soviets were still strong and the Afghans had no weapons. Wanting to do something to help, Wilson raises the budget for covert ops from $5 million to $10 million. Upon assessing the situations in Afghanistan and Pakistan for himself however (and after a verbal lashing from Pakistani politicians who look at his budget increase as "a joke") Wilson knows something much more substantial must be done.
Wilson is a man of loose morals but his openness and honesty about everything (even his exploits) show that he is a man of character after all. He's going to help the covert ops team, led by Gust Avrakotos (Philip Seymour Hoffman), by any means he can. The fact that he comes from "the only congressional district that doesn't want anything" means that he can do a lot of things that a lot of congressmen couldn't. This includes getting "to vote yes a lot" and appropriating more funds for a covert war. He does this with the help of wealthy Texas socialite Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts), a staunch anti-communist, and key congressman Doc Long (Ned Beatty). Together they get much needed weapons into the hands of the Afghans and play a key role in tearing down the Iron Curtain.
Based on a true story, "Charlie Wilson's War" tells a tale of people who didn't know of what was to come in Afghanistan. Writer Aaron Sorkin (of "West Wing" and "Studio 60" fame) delivers an incredibly sharp screenplay with some of the best dialogue of 2007 (which is saying something). Along with director Mike Nichols ("The Graduate") they keep things moving briskly along. The film is only 97 minutes but it doesn't feel too short. It could have been longer and it would have been fine, but Sorkin and Nichols say what they have to say, they say it well, and they get out. There's something to be said for that kind of brevity.
A typically bland performance from Julia Roberts aside (apparently somebody out there still believes she can act), this is an exceptionally well cast film. Hanks delivers a terrific performance as Wilson. So good actually that I now absolve him for "The Da Vinci Code." Amy Adams is great too as Wilson's administrative assistant Bonnie Bach. Her performance (along with a brief appearance by Emily Blunt) remind us that there are plenty of talented actresses out there who offer much more than Julia Roberts ever will. But performance wise this movie belongs to Philip Seymour Hoffman. His Avrakotos is a snarky, brilliant, and unlikely secret agent. Blessed with an ability to see through nonsense in all of its forms he's the one person in the film who sees disastrous potential in not finishing the job that they started in Afghanistan. Wilson being a very intelligent man comes to realize that Gust is probably right.
In an age when political movies beat the audience into submission with a message stick, "Charlie Wilson's War" is able to make a statement that is clear without being overbearing, and it's very very intelligent. A highly entertaining and enjoyable movie, there are a few truly chilling moments and reminders that when a commitment is made in the world, it must be followed through. 9/10.