Charlie Wilson's War (2007)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Mike Nichols

Writers (WGA):

Aaron Sorkin (screenplay)
George Crile (book)

Release Date:

21 December 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Tagline:

Based on a true story. You think we could make all this up?

Plot:

A drama based on a Texas congressman Charlie Wilson's covert dealings in Afghanistan, where his efforts to assist rebels in their war with the Soviets have some unforeseen and long-reaching effects.

Plot Keywords:

Texas | Afghanistan | Foreign Policy | CIA | 1980s

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 3 wins & 10 nominations

Cast

Tom Hanks	...	Charlie Wilson
Amy Adams	...	Bonnie Bach
Julia Roberts	...	Joanne Herring
Philip Seymour Hoffman	...	Gust Avrakotos
Terry Bozeman	...	CIA Award Presenter
Brian Markinson	...	Paul Brown
Jud Tylor	...	Crystal Lee
Hilary Angelo	...	Kelly
Cyia Batten	...	Stacey
Kirby Mitchell	...	Stoned Guy
Ed Regine	...	Limo Driver
Daniel Eric Gold	...	Donnelly
Emily Blunt	...	Jane Liddle
Peter Gerety	...	Larry Liddle
Wynn Everett	...	Receptionist - Charlie's Angels

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language, nudity/sexual content and some drug use.

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Dari | Arabic | Russian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Ireland:15A | South Korea:15 | Singapore:NC-16 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Australia:M | Germany:12 | Netherlands:12 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Finland:K-11 | USA:R (certificate #44037) | Argentina:13 | Sweden:7 | Hong Kong:IIB | UK:15 | Malaysia:18PL | Brazil:14 | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Spain:13 | Portugal:M/12 | New Zealand:M | Iceland:12 (original rating) | Iceland:16 (video rating)

Filming Locations:

Downey Studios - 12214 Lakewood Boulevard, Downey, California, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

A vintage Miss Texas photo of Mary Nell Hubbard (1958) was used for a scene in the movie because Julia Roberts plays a former beauty queen. Hubbard wouldn't take payment for the photo she provided. She privately joked, "I've gone from a headline to an archive to an artifact," and her daughter gently teased her that she is a body double for Julia Roberts.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When Philip Seymour Hoffman's character, Gust Avrakotos, said "you can park a battle carrier group behind the right hand," he should have said "you can park a carrier battle group behind the right hand."

Quotes:

[first lines]
CIA Award Presenter: The defeat and break up of the Soviet empire, culminating in the crumbing of the Berlin wall, is one of the great events of world history. There were many heros in this battle, but to Charlie Wilson must go this special recognition. Just thirteen years ago the Soviet army appeared to be invincible...

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 80th Annual Academy Awards (2008) (TV)

Soundtrack:

STOMP

A Sly, Sophisticated Piece of Film-making

I like Tom Hanks, and he is one of few actors who will draw me into the theatre regardless of any misgivings I may have concerning the film. I worried about Mr. Hanks return to "light comedy" as this is the arena where he made the transition from TV to film- remember "Big"? Well, "Charlie Wilson's War" is not light comedy. It is political satire, and extremely well-written political satire at that. The script is the star of this film, and the word-smithing by Aaron Sorkin is some of the best on offer this year.

Mike Nicols holds the entire escapade together, delivering a film that zips along in a very quick 90 minutes (timing is everything in comedy, and nothing is ever funny if it drags). Nicols' choice in sets and lighting are also very reminiscent of '70's and '80's TV, a move used deliberately to root the piece in period.

The return to the use of model work and stock photography over digital special effects also enhances the retro look and believability. Note to the production designers in your choice of stock footage: I know the difference between an F-16 and a MiG, and a Bell and a Hind. But that may have been part of the joke, too.

I saw this film in Philadelphia. It was interesting to watch and listen to the audience NOT get the historical references to their own history. History tends to repeat because the recidivists have forgotten what happened the first time around.

Kudos to both Mr. Hanks and that chameleon Phillip Seymore Hoffman. Sorkin's script is brought to life by these actors, and the entire production team is on the top of their game.

Heartily recommended.