CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR

"We need to shot down those helicopters"

Congressman for East Texas Charlie Wilson had a reputation as a man who loved a drink, liked a party and was extremely fun. His staff is entirely female and he loved hanging around with the rich, famous and social elite. This all changed in 1980 when he saw the plight of the people of Afghanistan who were being crushed under the might of the invading Russian army. Deciding to take action, Charlie starts a crusade to arm the Afghan rebel army, the Mujahedin so they can fight back and score a covert American victory in the Cold War.

American's involvement in Afghanistan goes back further than the current War on Terror but can story of one Congressman's war for freedom be as intriguing?

Based on the best selling novel by George Crile and adapted by 'West Wing' creator Aaron Sorkin, Charlie Wilson's story is definitely an interesting one. Combine this with Oscar winning director Mike Nichols and three winners of the golden statue Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Phillip Seymour Hoffman and you have a film that everyone should take notice of. It is story however that initially draws you in and it has a thoughtful but slightly abrupt ending that will get you talking long after the film has finished.

American's involvement in conflicts around the world, either conventionally or covertly, is a topic of discussion that has been on the tip of most political or socially active tongues since the country became a military superpower in the early part of the 20th century. While some people may have known that American did in fact supply weapons to Afghan rebels to fight the Russian army throughout the 80s, they probably didn't know it was all down to one man, a Congressman from East Texas. The story of political playboy turned Afghanistan campaigner Charlie Wilson is one that is both moving and funny but with an important message to tell. While it was right for the American's to supply weapons to the Mujahedin to avert the slaughter of their people, the film also talks about the responsibility of doing this and that it wasn't just about scoring a covert result against the Russians but helping a country defend itself and allow it to prosper after the war was run. As we know, the American's didn't do this and let the extremists take over the country with dyer consequences just over ten years later.

Director Mike Nichols has gathered together a first rate cast to bring this tale to life. Leading the line is another fine performance by Tom Hanks. Cinema's everyman brings a great amount of believability to the role of Charlie Wilson and displays a magnetism and passion that makes you understand why Charlie was able to procure the funding needed to arm the Mujahedin. Julia Roberts makes a welcome return to the silver screen as Texas heiress Joanne Herring, the woman trying to push her own anti-communist values into America's covert military policy. Philip Seymour Hoffman is exceptionally good as CIA Afghan field agent Gust Avrakotas, providing many of the laughs as the disgruntled company man who finds a new lease of life fighting this covert war. There are also noticeable turns from Amy Adams, Wynn Everett, Rachel Nichols and Shiri Appleby as Charlie's glamorous assistants.

'Charlie Wilson's War' is an informative and entertaining real life story with a subplot of responsibility running all the way through it. While it doesn't push America's responsibility for what happened to Afghanistan after the retreat of the Russian army, it is there throughout and you gain an understanding of winning a war can also mean you lose at the same time.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Widescreen 1.85:1 Anamorphic with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, the transfer is good.

BONUS FEATURES

The Making of Charlie Wilson's War (17.11 mins)
Director Mike Nichols, writer Aaron Sorkin, producer Gary Goetzman, stars Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Emily Blunt, Amy Adams and the real Charlie Wilson and Joanne Herring come together to talk about the making of 'Charlie Wilson's War'. The stereotypical featurette looks at how the film adapted the novel, working with Mike Nichols, giving the script the Sorkin twist, working with Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Phillip Seymour Hoffman and the real Charlie Wilson. With a lot of patting on the back and the usual interviews, this is a run of the mill featurette.

Who is Charlie Wilson (12.23 mins)
Director Mike Nichols, CIA advisor Milt Bearden, technical advisor Jare Van Dyk, Tom Hanks and the real Charlie Wilson and Joanne Herring talk about the career of Congressman Charlie Wilson. Here we find out about the man himself, what he did for the Afghan people and the legacy the US left after Russians withdrew from Afghanistan.

OVERALL

The DVD treatment for 'Charlie Wilson's War' is a little disappointing. With a stereotypical featurette, the lack of a commentary track and only a featurette about Charlie Wilson himself saving it from been complete awful, you would have expected more from Universal.

DVD

Wag the Dog

---

The Usher Home | Hush, Hush... | The Big Story | The Usher Speaks

Stuck @ Home | Coming Soon | Links | Contact the Usher

2008