Charlie Wilson's War is the type of movie that you never want to see end. That's how affecting the performances are.
The film takes a cue from the life of Charlie Wilson, a politician who ignites a covert battle against the Soviets during their invasion of Afghanistan by using his influences both in America and abroad to fund it. In a relatively brief running time, the film tells a full story of how America became involved behind the scenes in this conflict, which is insightful and entertaining all at once. This makes for a rare Hollywood combo package!
Tom Hanks does a magnificent job in his portrayal of Wilson, and in fact, makes you forget that it is he who you are watching. The mark of a great actor will make you believe the character and not the person who is portraying him and that is the case here. He embodies this imperfect man and gives him a very real, relatable context to the viewer. It's a textbook performance that carries the weight of the movie well on its shoulders, but it isn't even the best acting job in the movie -- that accolade belongs to Philip Seymour Hoffman.
One will be hard pressed to find a better supporting actor in all of 2007 after viewing Hoffman's portrayal of Gust Avrakotos, a supremely talented CIA agent who is buried by his superiors until destiny crosses him with Wilson. Hoffman's fiery, witty and hilarious character is a tour de force and I found him to be the most interesting of all characters in a film loaded with charisma. At first glance, Gust's modest demeanor and bland attire would make most overlook what is hidden beneath and that is the savvy smarts of an experienced, street smart agent. As we find out, Gust is readily committed to the cause of eliminating communism and stopping Russia cold in Afghanistan.
Out of the three top billed actors in the film, Julia Roberts offers up easily the worst performance of the three. Her character, Joanne Herring, was dull and pompous and I couldn't wait for her scenes to pass. What made her an essential piece to the puzzle, however, were the dynamics that she offered to the overall puzzle. Besides raising awareness about the situation, she plays a pivotal role in getting an increase of the covert funding for the Afghanistan conflict, which ends with a surreal rally at a camp in Pakistan where East really does meet West.
"Charlie Wilson's War" is a small film packaged with large moments of scale. To do it any other way would have ruined the perfect formula that makes this movie so entertaining. Conversely, the scope of the film might keep it out of award contention as Hollywood seems to vie for more of an epic feel these days. That would be a shame, though, since this was one of 2007's best films and is worthy of everyone's time and accolades. Go see this one if you're in the market for a well-balanced and intelligent film for adults.
