Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Binding: DVD
Brand: Universal
EAN: 0025195004831
Format: AC-3
Item Dimensions: Array
Label: Universal Studios
Languages: Array
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
MPN: MCAD61100565D
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Universal Studios
Region Code: 1
Release Date: 2008-04-22
Running Time: 102
Studio: Universal Studios
Theatrical Release Date: 2007

Academy Award® winners Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman star in this compelling and witty film from Oscar®-winning director Mike Nichols and Primetime Emmy®-winning writer Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing). Based on the outrageous true story, Charlie Wilson's War shows how one congressman who loved a good time, one Houston socialite who loved a good cause and one renegade CIA agent who loved a good fight conspired to bring about the largest covert operation in history.
Political movies about backroom negotiations need not be dry or heavy-handed, as Charlie Wilson's War delightfully proves. Based on the true story of playboy congressman Wilson's efforts to fund Afghanistan's defense against the Soviet invasion of the 1980s, the film is borne along on breezy attitude and a peppery script by West Wing scribe Aaron Sorkin. Wilson, played by Tom Hanks (who also produced), is the perfect hero for this kind of tale, because there's nothing perfect or heroic about him: He's a highball-swilling, fanny-pinching gadabout who becomes radicalized on the issue of helping the Afghans against their mighty aggressor. He has help in the form of a right-wing Texas anti-Communist (Julia Roberts) with a genius for raising money, and a sardonic CIA operative (Philip Seymour Hoffman, stealing the show) who lacks all the social skills Wilson has in abundance. Sorkin's syncopated speech is just the ticket for director Mike Nichols, who understands exactly how to keep this kind of political comedy popping (the complicated story comes in at a hair over 90 minutes, amazingly). Some scoundrels are on the right side of the angels, and the movie's Charlie Wilson is one of them. --Robert Horton

Beyond Charlie Wilson's War on DVD

More Tom Hanks

Films by Mike Nichols

More Julia Roberts

Stills from Charlie Wilson's War (Click for larger image)

Customer Rating:
Summary: This was fun to watch
Comment: Watching this helps to give a clue to how some politics are done. In some cases like this, in unconventional ways. The end of the movie is really what strikes a cord - without giving anything away basically how after the Soviets pulled out of Afghanistan the US abandoned them and look what happened 20 years later.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Entertaining movie is worth owning
Comment: In a very entertaining way, this movie manages to educate the viewer on America's first war in Afghanistan. Indeed, the historical/political treatment is not heavy handed, but makes this more than just an entertaining movie about a colorful Congressman (and he is colorful). If you like movies that have some historical connection, but want something that's still light enough to show just for entertainment value, this movie is perfect. And, of course, Tom Hanks does a great job.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly good
Comment: I didn't think this would be anywhere near as enjoyable as it is. I really liked it, and found it to be surprisingly good.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Afganistan before it became fashionable
Comment: This film is an absolute genious of screenwriting, directing and acting. Charlie Wilson is an obscure congressman from Texas whose office is saturated with young female assistants seemingly ditzy but highly loyal to him; he is well connected with people of (financial) means and powerul social network. Charlie is a smart goofball - man who is astute is ways of holding (his political) power, but who also likes to get his share of fun: drugs, girls and a good glass of drink. When Charlie's lover, Texas socialite, becomes interested in stopping Russian invasion in Afganistan, Charlie becomes involved with CIA, Texas political powerhouse players, organizations promoting Middle East self-interest and self-preservation as well as Christian fundamentalist groups. The genious of Charlie's political move is that his initial $5M war game becomes $1B enterprise in a covert war fully funded by the United States and its allies who like to play quietly in the background. Phillip Seymour Hoffman plays CIA veteran agent with such gusto, one cannot take eyes off him while he is on screen. Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts make a pair one can never forget on screen - it is a new kind of brand that we have not seen before or since. Film is humorous and intelligent and moves fast that one does not want it to end ever. It is one of the best political movies I have seen recently. One of those films everyone should have in their personal library. Great, great piece of work about modern day american foreign politics.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A fresh look at that other Afganistan fracas.
Comment: Not as funny as advertised - not a belly laugh anywhere - and a bit heavy on the eff word. I rate it at 5 stars anyway, because it presents the U.S. 'clandestine services' role in thwarting the Soviet invasion, and how important that role was. It does a fair job with the casual decadence of the Washington Scene too, and mitigates it with humor. None of the acting roles are particularly demanding, but they are well done.

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