This year has seen a whole slew of Iraq/Afghnastan war/issue movies and every single one has flopped. Why? They’re so well intentioned that one drowns under their pompous and sanctimonious sermonizing. As Samuel Goldwyn famously said, “Want to send a message? Use Western Union.”
So brings us to CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR by Mike Nichols & Aaron Sorkin (let’s not bring up the “film by” issue). An odd cocktail of history and realpolitik, this film doesn’t land every punch but it’s refreshing by its very purpose – it wants you to laugh (albeit uncomfortably). Finally Tom Hanks doesn’t play the nicest guy in the world. Instead he plays a man that enjoys a good drink and fine women – finally, someone I can relate to – including Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Rachel Nichols and all the other ladies that I’d want to staff my office. Philips Seymour Hoffman is brilliant (when isn’t he?) and Julia Roberts… good for her, too.
This film won’t win any major awards but you should check it out if only to see Hollywood produce something that isn’t cookie cutter.
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