Charlie Wilson's War (2007)

81% of critics liked it
(193 reviews)
73% of users liked it
(207,955 ratings)

Produced by Tom Hanks, written by Aaron Sorkin, and directed by Mike Nichols, this adaptation of George Crile III's incendiary bestseller tells the remarkable story of the Texas congressman whose efforts to prevent the Red Army from overtaking Afghanistan eventually led to the collapse of the Soviet… More Produced by Tom Hanks, written by Aaron Sorkin, and directed by Mike Nichols, this adaptation of George Crile III's incendiary bestseller tells the remarkable story of the Texas congressman whose efforts to prevent the Red Army from overtaking Afghanistan eventually led to the collapse of the Soviet Union while simultaneously fueling the rise of radical Islam. In the early 1980s, a hastily assembled army of Afghan "freedom fighters" achieved the remarkable feat of fending off Soviet invaders despite the fact that the odds were overwhelmingly stacked against them. At the time, Texas congressman Charlie Wilson (Hanks) was a key member of the hugely powerful House Appropriations Committee. Illuminated to the specifics of this remarkable war by a high-profile Houston socialite, Wilson spearheaded an effort to provide hundreds of millions of dollars in weapons and training to the Mujahideen with more than a little help from brilliant but prickly CIA operative Gust Avrokotos. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Mike Nichols
Written By: Aaron Sorkin
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 21, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Apr 22, 2008
Studio: Universal Pictures

Critic Reviews

Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor
Hanks may at first seem like an unlikely choice to play a seasoned Texas playboy bachelor, but he's so ingratiating that he almost pulls it off.
Christopher Orr, New Republic
[Philip Seymour Hoffman's] rumpled, cranky spy is hilarious--George Smiley by way of Jack Black--but with an edge of quiet ferocity that makes every scene he's in play a little sharper.
Jonathan F. Richards, Film.com
Nichols and Sorkin have made a Cadillac of a movie, a handsome, beautifully designed chassis with a powerful motor and luxurious attention to detail.
Tom Charity, CNN.com
Maybe it wasn't his fault those chickens came home to roost in the form of the Taliban, but you have to wonder: Would Nichols have given Oliver North such an easy ride?
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
It's a homerun.
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com
A terrific tale of political wheeling and dealing.
Kelly Vance, East Bay Express
Set the irony meter at eleven and enjoy.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
The satire darkens not into sobering relevance but into wishy-washy 'relevance'
Gerald Peary, Boston Phoenix
The international intrigue becomes strained satire -- what's needed is the comic touch of a Billy Wilder.
Tony Macklin, Fayetteville Free Weekly
Charlie Wilson's War features two characters who know how government is supposed to work. They also know it doesn't work as it is supposed to, so they have to subvert the system and go beyond it.
, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Hanks' performance as Wilson is tone-perfect, capturing both the public-servant seriousness and playboy rakishness of his character. And he does it without breaking a sweat.
Scott Nash, Three Movie Buffs
Charlie Wilson's War is both funny and entertaining. In fact, as far as making political points, you kind of have to look for them.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
At a short 93 minutes, it feels as though Charlie Wilson's War was hacked up in the editing room, leaving the bare bones of the structure but little of the really juicy meat.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
All of the actors clearly relish the film's fast and busy pace, smart dialog and vivid characterisations.
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
Hanks does a great job, brimming with the sort of charisma and charm that the real Charlie Wilson presumably had in spades.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...succumbs to an overly and relentlessly talky vibe that prevents the viewer from connecting to the film's story or characters.
Susan Tavernetti, Palo Alto Weekly
The movie never addresses the pressing questions raised in Crile's nonfiction page-turner. It also never encourages the viewer to consider that a solitary congressman appropriated more than $40 million of taxpayer money for his cause.
Beth Accomando, KPBS.org
This film may be based on real events but it plays out like a sharp and often absurd political satire.
Rory L. Aronsky, Film Threat
Charlie Wilson's War" is intelligence to be savored appreciatively.

Read all 19 critic reviews

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

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Featured Audience Ratings

moon r

A smart and entertaining charisma vehicle that also happens to teach a bit of recent US history, Hanks everyman plays a goodtime, partying congressman from Texas who's drawn into supporting Afghan rebels in their fight against Russian aggression. Nice turns by all the cast (Ned… More
A smart and entertaining charisma vehicle that also happens to teach a bit of recent US history, Hanks everyman plays a goodtime, partying congressman from Texas who's drawn into supporting Afghan rebels in their fight against Russian aggression. Nice turns by all the cast (Ned Beatty and Om Puri among them) almost hide that great care is taken not to upset American sensibilities.
Joe M

Too bad in Americas rush to defeat the Soviets we created the Taliban, strengthened the Haqqani network and gave Pakistan the time it needed to make a nuclear weapon. Great intentions but we messed up the end game.
Jens S

This political satire, based on real events of the CIA involvement in the Russian-Afghan war, mostly scores through its cast and the entertaining direction. The topic may start out a little dry, with the minor characters getting thrown in a bit randomly but once things start moving… More
This political satire, based on real events of the CIA involvement in the Russian-Afghan war, mostly scores through its cast and the entertaining direction. The topic may start out a little dry, with the minor characters getting thrown in a bit randomly but once things start moving this is really enjoyable. Particularly Hoffman steals every scene he's in, delivers comedy gold. Hanks is always great, but Roberts feels a bit out of place and as if she was only thrown in there for her big name. The ending arrives a bit anti-climatic and unexpected, but at least delivers the bitter conclusion of how things went wrong with the Afghan-US relations. Intelligent, funny, smart.
Spencer S

I took no sides in watching this comedy and political diatribe, as I am a peaceful person. This film is best viewed by someone of the X generation, having gone through the hatred of anything Soviet Russia throughout the 80's. The brusque animation in the dialouge kept the plot… More
I took no sides in watching this comedy and political diatribe, as I am a peaceful person. This film is best viewed by someone of the X generation, having gone through the hatred of anything Soviet Russia throughout the 80's. The brusque animation in the dialouge kept the plot from dragging, and the aspects of the war that were most important leapt out as if they had been italicized. Hanks plays the bachelor on the Hill with flair, somewhat out of his usual repetoire of sullen and needy. Hoffman is pleasantly lude and deep voiced as ever, this time playing up the vices and immaturity of a field agent out of his prime, swearing like a sailor and yelling epithets at his superiors. Roberts is just cool, a Southern belle with religious fervor and missing some of her morals along the way. Pleasant comedy, and an uplifiting story of redemption and becoming a savior in secret, it comes across as a film geared towards the older folk, yet still holds the elasticity of youth. Politically interesting, and nothing else.
Jay H

While the film makes the minor error at its conclusion in thinking there was some sort emotion vested in the plot, the film ends up as a fine political drama with a fair amount of comedy added in. The acting is quite good throughout, though Phillip Seymour Hoffman stands out among the… More
While the film makes the minor error at its conclusion in thinking there was some sort emotion vested in the plot, the film ends up as a fine political drama with a fair amount of comedy added in. The acting is quite good throughout, though Phillip Seymour Hoffman stands out among the three leads.
Ross C

A docudrama about a very interesting period of time in American history; politically, technologically and culturally; with a clear agenda to explain the current era. It can be hard to follow the fast, mumbling dialogue at times, but it's worth sticking with.
Richard C

C+
Chris W

The film lacks much in the way of a strong visual style, but more than makes up for it with a sharp script, gooddirection, and a great cast who give strong performances, especially scene stealer Philip Seymour Hoffman. It's a good story, made even better by the fact that… More
The film lacks much in the way of a strong visual style, but more than makes up for it with a sharp script, gooddirection, and a great cast who give strong performances, especially scene stealer Philip Seymour Hoffman. It's a good story, made even better by the fact that it's true. Even if it weren't true, the story is still a good one. The ending is somewhat hurried, but it's not a big enough issue to bring the movie down too much. This is good stuff. Strong, funny, and important political satire that is well conceived and executed doesn't come around as often as it needs to. This movie is one of those rare times, so take advantage.
Lewis C

Tom Hanks. Philip Seymour Hoffman. Amy Adams. Emily Blunt. Julia Roberts. Hopefully you've already stopped reading this review, and you've gone off to watch the movie. The cast is just outstanding. Four of those people are among my favorite actors and actresses in the world,… More
Tom Hanks. Philip Seymour Hoffman. Amy Adams. Emily Blunt. Julia Roberts. Hopefully you've already stopped reading this review, and you've gone off to watch the movie. The cast is just outstanding. Four of those people are among my favorite actors and actresses in the world, and Julia Roberts is no slouch, either. 50% of why I love Charlie Wilson's War is due just to this amazing cast. I have to give special mention to three of the cast, in particular. Tom Hanks really does outdo himself. The man can act circles around nearly anyone. And Amy Adams has forced her way into my highest regard with her roles in Doubt, The Office, Sunshine Cleaning, and this movie. Her range is just astonishing. Finally, I'm seriously starting to wonder whether Philip Seymour Hoffman could be a bad actor, even if he tried. I've seen him in quite a few movies this year, as well, and he blows me away every time. The other 50% of my adoration is due to the movie, itself. These are the kinds of true stories that I like, the ones that don't make me cringe from how insipid or sappy they are. Charlie Wilson's War is about true events that are still affecting our lives in a major way, today. Think of it as the most entertaining history lesson that you've seen in a long time. It's hilariously funny at times (Hanks and Hoffman are a duo that I would really enjoy seeing team up again), occasionally somber, timely, topical, and intensely interesting. I loved it.
Anthony L

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 giving… More
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 giving 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!
Lenny M

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.
Emily A

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 am… More
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 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.
paul s

This film delivered far more than I had expected - of course I had forgotten that Aaron Sorkin did the screenplay, otherwise I would have expected the excellent pacing, sly humor and witty dialogue. Tom Hanks is wonderful here, playing a Texas politician who is far wiser than he… More
This film delivered far more than I had expected - of course I had forgotten that Aaron Sorkin did the screenplay, otherwise I would have expected the excellent pacing, sly humor and witty dialogue. Tom Hanks is wonderful here, playing a Texas politician who is far wiser than he seems. Seymore Hoffman is powerful as usual, playing a CIA opperative. It's these two who hold the film together, in spite of the hollywood hype of Julia Horseface (who, to be honest, holds her own here in a minor role). The irony of the ending and the actual quote by Wilson "we fucked up the end-game" was so spot on, given that here we are, back in Afghanistan - with our recently developed "hearts and minds" regimine - which was something we should have done back 15 years ago. Doh! Our foreign policy as usual. In any case, a wonderful film - I got a joy watching the Afghani's shooting stingers and then jumping for joy when they hit their targets (and the back story of all the intrigue to get the missiles into their hands was fascinating).
Cassandra M

#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… More
#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 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?.
Tim S

Fantastic film. Incredibly well written by Aaron Sorkin, superbly acted by the entire cast and well-directed by the incredible Mike Nichols. Loved this movie so much.
Aliyanto L

This movie is drama played for laughs, reality repackaged as satire, politics filtered through farce and rueful irony. Just like Charlie Wilson's quote: "These things happened. They were glorious dan they changed the world... and then we fucked up the endgame."
Film C

excellant film worth a watch
Lanning :

When I think about Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf, and of course The Graduate, I think that Mike Nichols must be one great director. But then I think about a lot of his other work, specifically Working… More
When I think about Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf, and of course The Graduate, I think that Mike Nichols must be one great director. But then I think about a lot of his other work, specifically Working Girl or Wolf, and I think, "Ah well." Hits and misses. A lot of misses. I think Nichols wants to do "important movies," but he just doesn't always seem to pick good projects. Charlie Wilson's War is a kind of important idea that doesn't end up very important. Strangely enough, I have a hunch that its being based on the "true story" of how America came to train and back Afghan freedom fighters against the Soviet Union is actually the movie's downfall. We are taken on a very superficial tour of this strange history of how the US came to actually bolster the efforts of the future terrorists who would ultimately engineer 9-11, and we see -- good -- how we helped undo the Soviets while simultaneously fostering an Afghan friction with the US -- bad -- we abandon them in their recovery. This glossing over of a tremendously complex historical relationship is, at best, irritating. And being a light slave to the facts brings about the bog-down of dealing with some very unappealing characters, such as Julia Roberts' Joanne Herring, which just makes the whole entertainment value even less. This really isn't very good, and I surely cannot even recommend one viewing for any fans of Tom Hanks, Amy Adams, Philip Seymour Hoffman, or, especially, Julia Roberts.
Summer W

Very illuminating, and of course Aaron Sorkin's snappy dialogue is always entertaining.
Alice S

No point to the "Tarantino-ing" narrative because well, the honoring of Charlie Wilson isn't exactly the fairy tale ending to this chapter of American history, is it? Not a Tom Hanks fan. PSH is great as usual and Amy Adams manages to shine in a small role.