A quartet of Oscar-winners got together for Charlie Wilson’s War and while the result is a decent film, it’s not a spectacular collaboration. There are 14 Oscar nominations with 5 wins between Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman and director Mike Nichols, and Charlie Wilson’s War picked up 5 Golden Globe nominations so it has a shot at some love from Academy Awards voters. But Globe recognition aside, Charlie Wilson’s War is simply not on par with Hanks, Roberts, Hoffman or Nichols’ previous, separate work.
Audiences just aren’t buying into ‘war’ movies these days and so Charlie Wilson’s War seems to be attempting to set itself apart from the pack by focusing more on comedy than drama, more on sex and drugs (but, sadly, no rock ‘n roll) rather than action and war. The approach works well for this film, which is based on fantastical but true events. Charlie Wilson’s War’s lighthearted take makes the serious subject matter a lot more palatable.
The Story
Charlie Wilson is a Texan through and through. He talks big, is an imposing presence, and he lives life to its absolute fullest. Nothing’s off-limits for the Congressman. Hot tubs, strippers, nose candy, hard partying… The list goes on and on. But there’s also a serious side to the man who enjoys his booze and his broads. A news story about Afghan rebels catches his eye and that, rather than the naked women immersed in hot water alongside him, is all he can focus on.
Once Charlie Wilson learns the Afghans need help from the United States of America, he latches onto the idea of supplying them with funding and arms like a bulldog with a new chew toy. Procuring money to help the rebels isn’t just something he’d like to do as a US Congressman, it’s nearly an obsession. With help from one of the wealthiest women in Texas (Roberts) and assistance from a gruff FBI agent (Hoffman) who isn’t good at filtering his comments, Charlie Wilson sets out to help the rebels defeat their Russian invaders by any means necessary.
The Cast
I’d pay to see Tom Hanks and Philip Seymour Hoffman pair up in another movie. Hanks and Hoffman make for a great onscreen team, with their scenes together the high points of Charlie Wilson’s War. Hanks’ slick, charming take on Wilson is the perfect counter to Hoffman’s sharp-tongued Avrakotos.
On the other hand, I never bought Roberts as the Texas socialite who gets whatever she wants. Roberts never dissolved into the character. And, disappointingly, the chemistry’s just not there between Roberts and Hanks, although the idea of two of the most popular actors in America uniting is a real no-brainer. Maybe with a different story these two A-listers might ignite a few sparks onscreen. Unfortunately, Charlie Wilson’s War wasn’t the project to fan any potential flames.
The Bottom Line
Aaron Sorkin’s script condenses the real Charlie Wilson’s exploits into a fast-paced 97 minute film. Sorkin knows how to write in the political genre (he wrote and executive produced The West Wing) and doesn’t linger too long over any one element in this complicated tale.
The real Charlie Wilson is impressed by the way Hollywood told his story. In our interview at the film’s premiere in Hollywood, Wilson told me he pushed for the film to “portray the true heroism of the Afghans and sort of our debt to these guys who took on the Russian army and defeated them when nobody in the world thought they could, except me.” If Charlie Wilson’s War accomplishes nothing else, it does at least get those key points across.
Tom Hanks and Philip Seymour Hoffman in Charlie Wilson's War.
Charlie Wilson’s War has its share of shortcomings that keep it from rising to the level anticipated when you place Hanks, Roberts, Hoffman and Nichols on the same bill. All’s not peaches and cream with the film. The action scenes are poorly staged and unimpressive. Too much time is spent on Roberts’ character when it’s Hanks and Hoffman who are really compelling to watch. And the story does hopscotch around a bit as it winds its way to the ironic finale. Yet Charlie Wilson’s War is still kind of fun to watch, despite its flaws.
You definitely can’t accuse Charlie Wilson’s War of spouting the same old tired story. It’s an interesting CliffsNotes version of a part of American history that not everyone knows about and is fascinating to discover.
GRADE: B-
Charlie Wilson's War was directed by Mike Nichols and is rated R for strong language, nudity/sexual content and some drug use.
| 