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Movie Review: Charlie Wilson's War Alternate Title: Politics Makes Strange Bedfellows
Story: A whole heck of a lot
of talent went into this entertaining, fast paced, intelligent, made
for grown-ups film by director, Mike Nichols. It is
based on the book, by George Crile with a West
Wing style screenplay by the very talented,
Aaron Sorkin. The film is based on the true story of free wheeling, party loving,
boozing, womanizing, good time Texas Democratic Congressman, Charlie
Wilson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Wilson_(politician)
and how he managed to lead the covert war against the Soviet Union when
they invaded Afghanistan during the 1980's. In lesser hands this could
have simply been another boring, Monday morning quarter-backing film
based on a piece of history that most Americans either did not know
about or did not care about while it was happening. We are now, of course,
reaping the repercussions of those seemingly righteous acts of the 80's
today. But that's another story for another film on another day. Charlie Wilson teams up with CIA operative Gust
Avrakotos and right wing Texas millionaire, Joanne
Herring to get the backing and funding for weapons to ultimately
help beat the Soviets. If this story were not true - you would not believe
it. Everything about the film is first rate. However, if you have no interest
in politics and have trouble paying attention to lots of dialogue (even
if some of it is very funny) you will not enjoy his film as much as
I did. Everyone else should definitely put this film on their must see
list. Acting: Tom Hanks delivers his usual right on target
performance. Not many actors could play a womanizer a get away with
it. But Hanks' all American charm pulls it off just fine. Philip
Seymour Hoffman is having a heck of a year. He is terrific
as Gust Avrakotos and almost makes the other actors disappear form the
screen when he appears. Julia Roberts did not work
as well for me. I did not buy her role at all as the Texas right winger.
Amy Adams is also having one great year and once again,
does a fine job.
Predilection: I like political films.
Critters: Two dogs
Food: Not much food but a heck of a lot of booze.
Sex Spectrum: There is a hot tub scene with a number
of boob shots and we also get to see Tom Hanks' butt.
Blatant Product Placement: Slim Fast, Glenlivet
Soundtrack: A fine mix of tunes and a terrific sequence
during the war scenes.
Opening Titles: Everything but the name of the film
is at the end.
Theater Audience: Crowded for the first showing on
a Saturday morning. I laughed the loudest at the one liners.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: Watching the inner workings of Congress
makes for a few very squirmy moments.
Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Who knows? Perhaps.
Big Screen or Rental: Big screen. For some of my other
favorite Mike Nichols' films try renting: Closer
HBO’s "Angels in America", Primary Colors, Wolf, Biloxi
Blues, Silkwood, Carnal Knowledge, Catch-22 , Who's Afraid of Virginia
Woolf? and the fabulous, The Graduate
Length: 95 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 8.5
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