Review of Charlie Wilson's War (2007) by Colin H — 15 Nov 2011

A bitter-sweet true story about the state of the world we live in today.

In the 1980s Charlie Wilson was a little-known Texas congressman who lives a life of luxury while supporting those around him with honesty and integrity. Yet despite having little experience in the field, he is given the call to aid the decimated people of Afghanistan fight back against Soviet invaders. All it will take is a little covert weapons trading...

Even while watching this film from start to finish you cannot shake the sense of foreboding, making hindsight a terrible thing. Wilson is a likeable man (the ever-likeable Tom Hanks) and we know he believes he is doing the right thing, what any human being would do. But with his own character flaws, he lacks the foresight of his actions.

It is of course an intelligent film, but I was pleasantly surprised at the rapid pacing and use of satire. These sorts of films often drag, or are simply too heavy with their own importance, but here we have a delicate balance of sincerity and humour (especially with Phillip Seymour Hoffman's blunt, dry delivery!) to pull us through and appreciate everything said. There's a great scene within the congressman's office, where Wilson literally juggles his affairs between rooms.

It is a very human and real movie about people pulling together to help oppression, with a constant awareness of current events; tragic events spurred by acts of compassion. Perhaps it could be called an important film.