Charlie Wilson's War

Jan 11 2008 by Peter Leathley, The Journal

(1hr 41mins) Starring: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Rachel Nichols, Shiri Appleby, Ned Beatty, Om Puri. Director: Mike Nichols

ALTHOUGH it stops tantalisingly short of drawing explicit links between American involvement in Afghanistan during the early 80s and the rise of Osama bin Laden and al Qaida, Mike Nichols’ starry political satire draws a trickle of blood with its timely references to conflict in the Middle East.

Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing) gifts the most telling lines to the eponymous politician, played with easygoing charm by Tom Hanks.

During an appearance before a funding sub committee, Charlie complains bitterly: “This is what we always do. We go in with our ideals and then we leave. We always leave.”

Julia Roberts’ slinky socialite fans the air of cynicism. “Why is Congress saying one thing and doing nothing?” she asks Charlie. “Tradition, mostly,” he replies impishly.

Based on true events, Nichols’ ribald comedy revolves around naive and idealistic Texas congressman Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks), who is destined for great things on Capitol Hill, flanked by feisty assistant Bonnie Bach (Amy Adams).

When on-off socialite lover Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts) begs for help repelling Soviet forces in Afghanistan, Charlie agrees to spearhead the campaign to increase funding for Mujahideen freedom fighters.

Tapping into a ground swell of support, Charlie aligns himself with maverick CIA agent Gust Avrakotos (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and together they begin greasing the political cogs.

The two men woo high profile figures like Pakistani president Zia ul-Haq (Om Puri) and political heavyweight Doc Long (Ned Beatty), chairman of the Defence Appropriations sub committee. Collective guilt on Capitol Hill ensures funding for US covert operations swells from a paltry $5m to $1bn, providing the rebels with armaments to overwhelm the Soviet might.

When the Reds subsequently retreat, Charlie is feted as a hero, unaware that the terrible legacy of this intervention will become chillingly clear on an autumn day in New York City in 2001.

Considering the glittering calibre of talent on screen and behind the camera, Charlie Wilson’s War is a disappointment.

Hanks and Roberts are solid, but the film only comes to life when Hoffman bursts onto screen as the sardonic, anti-authoritarian CIA agent who isn’t below underhand tactics, like blackmail, to get his way.