Amy Adams, Brian Markinson, Emily Blunt

Charlie Wilson was a bachelor congressman from Texas who had a habit of showing up in hot tubs with strippers and cocaine. His "Good Time Charlie" exterior, however, masked an extraordinary mind, a de...( read more  read more... )ep sense of patriotism and a passion for the underdog, and in the early 1980s the underdog was Afghanistan-which had just been brutally invaded by the Russians. Charlie's longtime friend and patron and sometime lover was Joanne Herring, one of the wealthiest women in Texas and a virulent anti-communist. Believing the American response to the Russian invasion was anemic at best, she prods Charlie into doing more for the Mujahideen (Afghan freedom fighters). Charlie's partner in this uphill endeavor is CIA Agent Gust Avrakotos, a blue-collar operative in a company of Ivy League blue bloods. Together, the three of them-Charlie, Joanne and Gust-travel the world to form unlikely alliances among the Pakistanis, Israelis, Egyptians, arms dealers, law makers and a belly dancer.Their success was remarkable. Funding for covert operations against the Soviets went from $5 million to $1 billion annually. The Red Army retreated out of Afghanistan. When asked how a group of peasants was able to deliver such a decisive blow to the army of a superpower, Pakistani President Mohammad Zia ul-Haq responded simply, "Charlie did it."

Flixster Users

74% liked it

61,486 ratings

Critics

81% liked it

189 critics

R, 1 hr. 37 min.

Directed by: Mike Nichols

Release Date: December 21, 2007

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: April 22, 2008

Get It:

Stats: 16,227 reviews

Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Your Rating



clear rating

Flixster Reviews (16,227)


  • October 2, 2009
    It?s funny, this is the history of one of the most serious turn of events effecting the world today. We all know where it?s led so far but no one knows how it?s going to end, probably badly, yet Mike Nichols has somehow demonstrated the importance and impact of this issue while g...( read more)iving us a quite funny and amusing film. I suppose that?s due to the quirky characters involved, Hanks, Seymour Hoffman and Roberts never underplay or overplay their roles and no one loses sight of the films main objective. Education isn?t usually this entertaining but it?s tastefully executed and assessable to all! It?s brilliant in fact!
  • September 16, 2009
    Great cast and movie plot. Starts kind of slow but gets interesting when Tom Hanks starts traveling. Dealt mainly with the US supplying weapons to Afghanistan to fight the Russian and then hints at the end of the future blowback that this would cause. Tom Hanks/PSH duo is solid.
  • April 9, 2009
    Great movie. I love how they put this one together without flashing the obvious in front of your face. Great acting and great directing.
  • April 3, 2009
    Not without its charm, but much of what could have been its brilliant political satire and comedy is lost in the mire of international relations that is required to understand the plot. I think this movie could have been much better in the hands of the Cohen brothers, but maybe I...( read more) am missing the point. However, Tom Hanks as the congressman with very little to do with his time is far too endearing to dismiss and despite his philandering and vices, it's very clear that he cares deeply about people and wants to help them in any way he can. It's strange that this film had every opportunity to show and skewer political corruption, will have none of it. It's also ironic that despite his obvious flaws and weaknesses, Charlie Wilson is not corrupt. He is a very interesting character.
  • December 19, 2008
    #28: Charlie Wilson's War
    Tom Hanks brings the funny as a playboy congressman messing around with Afghanistan politics, but it?s Philip Seymour Hoffman?s lizard-eyed CIA agent who really steals the show. A politically astute and very funny movie, it?s no surprise to discover that...( read more) Charlie Wilson?s War was scripted by West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin.

    Best bit: Hoffman tells his CIA boss what he really thinks of him. ?I?d like to review the seven ways in which you?re a douche bag?.
  • November 8, 2009
    this movie is based on the true story of how Charlie Wilson, an alcoholic womanizer and Texas congressman, persuaded the CIA to train, and arm resistance fighters in Afghanistan to fend off the Soviet Union
    Tom Hanks does a great job in my opinion,he shows both charisma and char...( read more)m... well i am biased as i love anything he stars in! he is a fave actor of mine!!
  • November 2, 2009
    very funny and poignant too- true stories like this HAVE to be real because it is too bizarre
  • October 28, 2009
    really nice biopic adaptation on the eccentric ways to interpret the war .. smart funny ways to portray the unique of Charlie Wilson
  • October 27, 2009
    i think the movie is just fine but not a disastrous one. overall only philip seymour hoffman stand out in this movie.
  • October 27, 2009
    Clever little piece of trick propaganda. The boyscout prism through which this film renders its events is almost absolved by the narrow beam of honesty that eventually emerges, almost.

Critic Reviews


December 21, 2007
Pete Hammond, Maxim

You'll want to stand up and cheer for Charlie Wilson, a smart and absolutely irresistable true tale about a guy who dared to make a difference. full review

December 21, 2007
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

A terrific tale of political wheeling and dealing. full review

December 21, 2007
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

It is briskly paced, nimbly acted and crisply directed by Mike Nichols. full review

December 21, 2007
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

The film moves along smartly despite being stuffed to bursting with details of arms deals, diplomatic ploys and political maneuvering. full review

December 21, 2007
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

The season's oddest and perhaps most effective war movie. full review

December 21, 2007
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Nichols fills the edges of the screen with unforced humor. full review

December 21, 2007
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

It's quite a yarn, and the filmmakers relate it with clarity and verve.

December 17, 2007
David Edelstein, New York Magazine

Tells a momentous story -- a story every American should know -- in a boisterous, lickety-split style that makes the history lesson go down easily. full review

December 17, 2007
Anthony Lane, The New Yorker

The film, adapted from George Crile's book, doesn't always work, but it sure offers value for money. full review

December 13, 2007
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

This is certainly the most dynamic of the war films that have been choking and dying at the multiplex. full review

View more Charlie Wilson's War reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • pavacri23
    June 3, 2008
    the hisotry is good but the movie is a little bit boring for me only at the end gets good.
  • irfd
    May 6, 2008
    very nice film . film shows how USA sucks all world...
  • YASERGRAFIX
    April 22, 2008
    USA is the biggest evil and Israel is the sun
    they destroy Afghanistan,Iraq, and they killed the children
    in Palestine (gaza) so this movie is like G.bosh ass have much chit
  • terris85017
    January 6, 2008
    Flixster - Share Movies
    December 2007 (Director: Mike Nichols) This is good movie making! Wonderful performance. Amazing performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman (Twister). I BELIEVED these characters & believed IN them. Ned Beatty stars as Defense Committee Chairman & Julia Roberts as a religious anti-communist lobbyist. Covert operations, good ol' boys & anti-communism.
    Flixster - Share Movies
    Based on a book by George Crile. The politics of defense, arms & cold war against Russia (aka Afghanistan support)

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Official Trailer

More Like This


Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • 27 Dresses
    27 Dresses (10%)
  • Three Kings
    Three Kings (50%)
  • Lord of War
    Lord of War (75%)
  • A Few Good Men
    A Few Good Men (92%)

Theater Showtimes & TV Listings


Charlie Wilson's War Trivia


  • What do "A Few Good Men", "The American President, and "Charlie Wilson's War" have in common?  Answer »
  • What two landmarks of Nacogdoches, Texas are referred to at the beginning of Charlie Wilson's War?  Answer »
  • During what war is Charlie Wilson's War set?  Answer »
  • Which actress sang the Ballad of Ricky Bobby, found herself Enchanted and fought Charlie Wilson's War?  Answer »

Most Popular Skin