David O'ConnellCharlie Wilson's War
August 28th 2008 03:40
Based on a true story, this dialogue-heavy film written by West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin and directed by the legendary Mike Nichols, never really ignites as compelling drama, though the superb acting and intelligent screenplay carry it a long way.
Tom Hanks as Wilson, the laidback, fun-loving, but socially wayward Congressman with a conscience, and Philip Seymour Hoffman as a renegade CIA agent, Gust Avrakotos, whose superiors are unable to handle, are both in top form and provide the increasingly interesting story with much of its forward momentum.
Admittedly there’s no real suspense or gripping turn of events to hold us in rapt attention, only an appreciation of the articulate, sometimes witty, dialogue which rattles along at a furious pace; there’s not a lot of time for silent or reflective interludes in Sorkin’s re-telling of this chapter of history, other than a poignant scene where Wilson tours the Afghan refugee camps to view the horrors it offers firsthand.
The story begins in 1980 with Wilson in a hot-tub with a friend and a few strippers which will later blow up into a public scandal for awhile when he’s accused of taking illicit substances. He becomes intrigued by the increasingly volatile situation in Afghanistan, with the locals helpless to fight back against the onslaught of the invading Russian forces.
A covert operation begins, the initial impetus provided by Wilson’s friend and occasional lover, wealthy Texan socialite Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts). Not needing a lot of encouragement, Wilson begins aligning unlikely forces through his negotiations with Avrakotos at his side, seeking out the arms to put into the hands of the Afghan rebels to give their people a fighting chance against America’s own sworn enemies, the Russians.
Though convoluted at times, with political processes and dealings that are a bit impenetrable considering the rapid pace the film maintains, the basic story is interesting enough and with a string of colourful characters in support and some brilliant dialogue, I was drawn in by Charlie’s quest after the first doubtful fifteen minutes or so.
Hanks and Hoffman command the screen and make for a perfect pairing, whilst on the other hand Julia Roberts does seem a little miscast in her role, ridiculous hairdo aside. Amy Adams as Wilson’s chief aide is somewhat wasted, as is Emily Blunt in only a couple of scenes.
James Newton Howard’s sparsely spotted score is perfect with a lovely Copland-esque Americana theme for Charlie, and a clever interpolation of Handel’s Messiah in a battle montage towards the end as Charlie’s efforts are finally realized and we see the full impact of the Afghan forces’ fightback.
It’s amazing that Mike Nichols is still making important and interesting films some 42 years after his stunning debut with Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Charlie Wilson’s War may not be one of his best but it’s a literate film for adults and one worth seeing, regardless of how dubiously it sticks to historical facts or resorts to something more entertaining through fabrication.
Perhaps it's a story worth reading more about however, in the book Sorkin’s screenplay is based on, a biography written by George Crile, a former 60 minutes producer.
Tom Hanks as Wilson, the laidback, fun-loving, but socially wayward Congressman with a conscience, and Philip Seymour Hoffman as a renegade CIA agent, Gust Avrakotos, whose superiors are unable to handle, are both in top form and provide the increasingly interesting story with much of its forward momentum.
Admittedly there’s no real suspense or gripping turn of events to hold us in rapt attention, only an appreciation of the articulate, sometimes witty, dialogue which rattles along at a furious pace; there’s not a lot of time for silent or reflective interludes in Sorkin’s re-telling of this chapter of history, other than a poignant scene where Wilson tours the Afghan refugee camps to view the horrors it offers firsthand.
The story begins in 1980 with Wilson in a hot-tub with a friend and a few strippers which will later blow up into a public scandal for awhile when he’s accused of taking illicit substances. He becomes intrigued by the increasingly volatile situation in Afghanistan, with the locals helpless to fight back against the onslaught of the invading Russian forces.
A covert operation begins, the initial impetus provided by Wilson’s friend and occasional lover, wealthy Texan socialite Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts). Not needing a lot of encouragement, Wilson begins aligning unlikely forces through his negotiations with Avrakotos at his side, seeking out the arms to put into the hands of the Afghan rebels to give their people a fighting chance against America’s own sworn enemies, the Russians.
Though convoluted at times, with political processes and dealings that are a bit impenetrable considering the rapid pace the film maintains, the basic story is interesting enough and with a string of colourful characters in support and some brilliant dialogue, I was drawn in by Charlie’s quest after the first doubtful fifteen minutes or so.
Charlie with Joanne (Julia Roberts) and in the middle, his aide Bonnie (Amy Adams)
Hanks and Hoffman command the screen and make for a perfect pairing, whilst on the other hand Julia Roberts does seem a little miscast in her role, ridiculous hairdo aside. Amy Adams as Wilson’s chief aide is somewhat wasted, as is Emily Blunt in only a couple of scenes.
James Newton Howard’s sparsely spotted score is perfect with a lovely Copland-esque Americana theme for Charlie, and a clever interpolation of Handel’s Messiah in a battle montage towards the end as Charlie’s efforts are finally realized and we see the full impact of the Afghan forces’ fightback.
It’s amazing that Mike Nichols is still making important and interesting films some 42 years after his stunning debut with Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Charlie Wilson’s War may not be one of his best but it’s a literate film for adults and one worth seeing, regardless of how dubiously it sticks to historical facts or resorts to something more entertaining through fabrication.
Perhaps it's a story worth reading more about however, in the book Sorkin’s screenplay is based on, a biography written by George Crile, a former 60 minutes producer.
Charlie confers with Gust (the always brilliant Philip Seymour Hoffman)
| 92 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I tried watching this one twice because the screenplay, the director and Phillip Seymour Hoffman attracted me, sadly I couldn't sit through it because of Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts.
The true story is quite interesting and its a shame the films stars dragged it down so far for me because as you say the script was great.
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
Hanks put me off for awhile after seeing the truly dreadful DaVinci Code where he looked like he was sleepwalking through the film, but I don't mind him in general and he's very good in this.
Julia Roberts though - I agree with you there mate, I'm not keen on her in some roles and she was pretty out of place in this I thought, the only bad piece of casting.
Comment by steve
To imply the creation of Islamic terrorism was the inadvertent result of a senator's hackneyed attempts at humanitarianism almost demands a fatwa on the director himself.
Artistic liberty is one thing but propaganda is something else altogether. Another Zionist director trying to placate the hordes and create and endearing view of Imperialism.
By the way Hoffman was great.
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
great summary!
i agree it is convoluted in parts and Julias hair is extremely ridiculous . . . i felt the political issues were over-simplified and the patriotism of Sorkin/Nichols got in the way of presenting interesting characters