Product ReviewsCharlie Wilsons War (DVD, 2008, Full Frame)

The Road to 9/11

"Charlie Wilson's War" is worth seeing not for Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts miscast as a Texas congressman and born-again socialite, respectively, and not even for the magnificent Philip Seymour Hoffman as a cynical but effective CIA operative. The film is worth seeing to understand the sheer power of the U.S. to do good as well as to fail. Based on true events, Charlie Wilson is a Texas congressman who has a penchant for fast women, slow whiskey and accumulating chits on the House floor. Through main squeeze Roberts, he experiences an epiphany of sorts and comes to champion the Afghan cause against the invading Soviet Red Army. Most striking, however, are 2 stark elements of this movie. First, the fact that the U.S. government, under the umbrella of "covert" funding could divert more than a $500,000,000 to support a foreign country's guerilla warfare. Second, and tragically underlined in both events and the closing remarks courtesy of Charlie Wilson, is that while great in its efforts to remove the Soviet Army, the U.S. follow-through, after Afghanistan has left the headlines, is pitiful. This is no more evident than when the very same committee that allocated the previous king's ransom refuses to allocate a paltry $1.0 million for school construction. In fact, the committee members seem to think they are talking about Pakistan. Of course, this failure of the U.S. government in solidifying and building on the peace results in the rise of the Taliban, of Islamic fundamentalism in the region and quite possibly the climate that contributed to 9/11. There is no question that the Taliban provided Osama Ben Laden with sanctuary. We had them and we let them go....Read full review...

Refreshing Political Satire

In one of the better movies of the year, Tom Hanks stars as Congressman Charlie Wilson in this sardonically funny and extremely relevant (given reasonably current events) historical comedy-drama surrounding the 1980s Afghan/Soviet fiasco. The Soviets were attacking Afghanistan killing hundreds of people. Why should anyone care? People are dying, right? No, the reason the United States got involved through Charlie Wilson was because the Afghans, in fear they would get blown to sh_t, started illegally coming into Pakistan which in turn p_ssed Pakistani President Mohammad Zia ul-Haq off. Charlie Wilson in an effort to fix this situation teamed up with the sixth richest woman and religious fanatic in Texas, Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts) and a amusing and robust American spy for the CIA, Gust Avrakotos (Philip Seymour Hoffman) to help supply Afghans with high-tech weapons to destroy Soviet fight air-craft that would try and attack their land.

Although certainly not a serious Oscar contender for Best Picture, 'Charlie Wilson's War' is probably one of the best of the many political films of the year. Academy Award Winner Mike Nichols provides solid directing as to be expected while Emmy Award Winner Aaron Sorkin (Sport's Night, The West Wing) provides a remarkable screenplay that near-flawlessly balances comedy and drama. The acting is great for the most part as well. Tom Hanks delivers his best and most enjoyable performance since his 2000 Oscar-nominated turn as a FedEx worker stranded on a tropical island in 'Cast Away'. Hanks takes a slimy character like Wilson and with his trademark charm turns him into a likable guy. Amy Adams and Ned Beatty are reliable as always, but the real stand-out performance of the film is from Philip Seymour Hoffman. Arguably the finest actor working in the film industry today, Hoffman takes a small supporting role and upstages everyone around him. From his first scene where he's screaming at his boss before violently breaking his window, Hoffman sucks you in. The only disappointing cast member is unsurprisingly overrated Hollywood starlet Julia Roberts. Hamming her way through yet another movie, Roberts' overbearing and over-the-top portrayal of a rich Texas oil woman hits all the wrong notes and is at most times flat-out annoying. At 97 minutes, the movie is short and sweet, and that isn't to say it doesn't drag at some points but when it does drag it's for a very brief amount of time.Read full review...

Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Phillip Seymour Hoffman knock it out of the park on this one.

One of my favorite movies of all time-and I watch a lot of movies. Characters are great, plot keeps you interested and just enough comedy to make it entertaining. A must watch.

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Pay attention, its a really good film about a real war

I watched this the first time at my sister's house, stuff was going on at the house, kids coming and going, so I couldn't really get into it. But she kept claiming what a good film it was, so low and behold she sent the dvd to me in the mail, and I gave it my full attention.

It's important to pay attention to the dialog. It is a really good film, but the subject matter is so 'war movie' its easy to tune it out, as one would when flipping thru tv channels.

What is truly amazing is that it is based on the real story, that 98 % of us out there had no idea it was going on. In 1980 I was in high school and completely oblivious to this real 'secret' war that the US was fighting in Afghanistan.

So the story was very well done. But on the dvd, you get to meet the real Charlie Wilson, and wow, what a man. He's in his later years and he has this amazing charisma. Which makes a lot of the films bits make sense.

The real Wilson has the charisma of Bill Clinton or John Wayne, very manly and attractive. I don't really think of Tom Hanks in those terms.

Charlie Wilson was able to pull off one of the most secretive covert wars in history because he was considered a fop in Washington, and no one was watching him.

I'm sure a lot of the mediocre reviews are because of the subject matter. The acting is finest anywhere, but the story is so historically important, and thus you have to give it your fullest attention to get it.

And you have to ask can you wrap a 10 year event up into a 2 hour movie.

You might consider watching the documentary that comes with the dvd on the real Charlie Wilson first... you'll get a feeling for the kind of man he is and was during that time, and then the film makes a lot more sense. I'm sure a lot of people like me, were clueless that such a war with the Soviet Union was even going on.

This is a really good film.

Blessings, Max Rainet.

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History .

History has to be entertaining to be a movie and this history is. My second favorite movie.

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Charlie Wilson's War

In the early 1980s, Charlie Wilson is a womanizing US congressional representative from Texas who seemed to be in the minor leagues, except for the fact that he is a member of two major foreign policy and covert-ops committees. However, prodded by his major conservative supporter, Joanne Herring, Wilson learns about the plight of the people are suffering in the brutal Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. With the help of the maverick CIA agent, Gust Avrakotos, Wilson dedicates his canny political efforts to supply the Afghan mujahideen with the weapons and support to defeat the Soviet Union. However, Charlie Wilson eventually learns that while military victory can had, there are other consequences and prices to that fight that are ignored to everyone's sorrow. "Charlie Wilson's War", is a fascinating and eye-opening account of the most unlikely difference maker imaginable. "Charlie Wilson's War" is a sparkling, sophisticated satire that chronicles the behind-the-scene machinations of three colorful characters comprising Charlie's Team. Charlie is beautifully portrayed by Tom Hanks in a solid, slightly understated fashion. Thoroughly entertaining and surprisingly amusing movie.Read full review...

Right on the money. Great deal and very entertaining

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Charlie Wilson’s War in Afghanistan

Great story based on truth about America’s clandestine involvement in Afghanistan when the Soviets controlled the country.

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Charlie Wilson's war

Wish it had been widescreen but oh well.

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Fits

Was not expecting the nudity in this movie. Was embarrassed and thankful my sons were not in the room.

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