Review of Charlie Wilson's War (2007) by Lewis C — 12 Dec 2009

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.