Charlie Wilson's War
2.5/4
Starring: Tom Hanks, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Om Puri, Ken Stott, Julia Roberts
Rated R for Strong Language, Nudity/Sexual Content, and Some Drug Use
"Charlie Wilson's War" is one of those movies that sounds a lot better than it actually is. A biopic about a hard-partying congressman of little importance who, through hard work and smart moves behind the scenes, ends up saving a nation from foreign invaders. That sounds good, doesn't it? Unfortunately, the film is really dry and not particularly interesting.
Charlie Wilson (Hanks) is a member of the U.S. Representatives from Texas's 2nd district. He has no real importance (one of his first scenes has him trying to convince a Christian zealot (Peter Gerety) to back off protesting the fact that he can't have a manger on the parking lot of a fire department), which leaves him time for his real passions: women and booze. But then he sees a news segment about the plight of the Afghan people, who are fighting a losing battle against Soviet aggressors. Moved by the story, he increases the budget for the covert war from $5 million to $10 million. This attracts the attention of socialite Joanne Herring (Roberts). She urges him to do more, and with some of the wheelin' and dealin' that he's so good at, Good Time Charlie ends up ending the Cold War (in part at least).
The problem with the film is that it's really not that interesting. This is a talky picture, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but the characters are sketchily developed, and the script (by the usually reliable Aaron Sorkin) fails to give the characters any sort of depth.
The acting is uneven. Tom Hanks does what he can, and it's always a pleasure to see him on screen. Hanks works hard to make Charlie into a likable rogue who has finally found something he is passionate about. Philip Seymour Hoffman gives the best performance as the foul-mouthed cynic Gust Avrakotos. His lines drip with relish and bite. The third big name in the cast, Julia Roberts, is the weak link. Roberts gives it a try, but she is just not right for the part of an ultra right-wing, born again Christian socialite.
The film was directed by Mike Nichols, who was behind "The Graduate," "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and "Working Girl." "Working Girl" is a great film because it took its time. That doesn't happen here. The film feels rushed and it feels like its more concerned about giving the actors times to shine rather than telling a compelling narrative.
It's not a bad film by any means. It is watchable, and there are some scenes that really land (the scene where Gust is trying to talk to Charlie who is dealing with a scandal is amusing in a screwball-ish way). But it promises more than it delivers.
Starring: Tom Hanks, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Om Puri, Ken Stott, Julia Roberts
Rated R for Strong Language, Nudity/Sexual Content, and Some Drug Use
"Charlie Wilson's War" is one of those movies that sounds a lot better than it actually is. A biopic about a hard-partying congressman of little importance who, through hard work and smart moves behind the scenes, ends up saving a nation from foreign invaders. That sounds good, doesn't it? Unfortunately, the film is really dry and not particularly interesting.
Charlie Wilson (Hanks) is a member of the U.S. Representatives from Texas's 2nd district. He has no real importance (one of his first scenes has him trying to convince a Christian zealot (Peter Gerety) to back off protesting the fact that he can't have a manger on the parking lot of a fire department), which leaves him time for his real passions: women and booze. But then he sees a news segment about the plight of the Afghan people, who are fighting a losing battle against Soviet aggressors. Moved by the story, he increases the budget for the covert war from $5 million to $10 million. This attracts the attention of socialite Joanne Herring (Roberts). She urges him to do more, and with some of the wheelin' and dealin' that he's so good at, Good Time Charlie ends up ending the Cold War (in part at least).
The problem with the film is that it's really not that interesting. This is a talky picture, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but the characters are sketchily developed, and the script (by the usually reliable Aaron Sorkin) fails to give the characters any sort of depth.
The acting is uneven. Tom Hanks does what he can, and it's always a pleasure to see him on screen. Hanks works hard to make Charlie into a likable rogue who has finally found something he is passionate about. Philip Seymour Hoffman gives the best performance as the foul-mouthed cynic Gust Avrakotos. His lines drip with relish and bite. The third big name in the cast, Julia Roberts, is the weak link. Roberts gives it a try, but she is just not right for the part of an ultra right-wing, born again Christian socialite.
The film was directed by Mike Nichols, who was behind "The Graduate," "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and "Working Girl." "Working Girl" is a great film because it took its time. That doesn't happen here. The film feels rushed and it feels like its more concerned about giving the actors times to shine rather than telling a compelling narrative.
It's not a bad film by any means. It is watchable, and there are some scenes that really land (the scene where Gust is trying to talk to Charlie who is dealing with a scandal is amusing in a screwball-ish way). But it promises more than it delivers.
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