Charlie Wilson's War (15)

Why would Tom Hanks choose this? That's simple, he knows which side his bread is buttered. This movie is yet another instance of Hollywood rewriting history in a sugar coated patriotic self embrace. Even as a "fictionalised" account of the main character's story it is a poor screenplay, lacking any meaningful dramatic conflict or tension. As a comedy it was mild satire at best. But as historically informative? Give me a f...ing break! A movie that claims to tell the story of the Afghan Russian war of the 80's without a single mention of its main player Osama Bin Laden is just such brazen propaganda I am amazed there are numpty's here eating it up? It fails to mention that it was the US that started that war. The Soviet backed socialist leaning government in Kabul was dealing with the type of terrorist conflict the US had been so good at in Central America, and feeling they were losing the battle against the US armed Mujahideen they invited the Russians in to defend them. That is how the war started. When the US started to lose that war they raised the stakes. Enter Bin Laden courtesy of the then head of the CIA George Bush Senior (also a Texan not mentioned in this scenario) who was closely associated with the Bin Laden family. By using Bin Laden and the Saudi's as a conduit for financing, arming and training the Mujahideen the loosely veiled US involvement was politicised. I am sure some of Charlie Wilson’s involvement is true and I am even more certain that this womanising drunken letch was just a tool used by the CIA and not visa versa. You only have to have been alive and following the events to see through this propaganda tripe. But for all those of you for whom this is just history and you get your “information� from Sky or Fox News, educate yourself.

Some slick dialogue and Hoffman's performance sooth the agony of the message; the one about good intentions and bumbling execution. I couldn't possibly rewatch a second of this hoohar to check, but I think the music is mercifully subdued, too, adding to the watchability. 1/10.

Well, here is another opinion, "from the other side", if you like. I just finished watching the movie. My respect for T. Hanks dropped a few notches. As for Julia Roberts, she should be ashamed of herself to have starred in it ! The Russians are portrayed as total evil. When you sing praises to the trio think of American servicemn killed in Vietnam ! They were sent there by their own government ! Same with the young Soviet soldiers. Nobody asked them if they wanted to go to Afghanistan ! Think of the American mothers and Russian mothers grieving for their son who would never return home ! As for Afghanistan the US of A are having now to clean up their own mess ! Serves them right !!

I think this film was made to entertain and inform and suceeds admirably.The script is mostly brilliant, the characters rich, flawed and fascinating and it attempts to deal with complex issues in a mature even-handed way..totally enjoyable and Seymour Hoffman is,as usual,better than perfect

Enjoyable for the fast paced and often witty dialogue. It left me more intrigued to investigate further than truely enlightened about the Afgan war of the '80s but a fun political satire piece notwithstanding that.

Don't expect deep political drama or anything based on the truth. It has some witty lines in it but it is total American feel-good mush. Wilson, his CIA friend and the rest of his gang being portrayed as some good hearted people helping out the Afghans. The Russians as total evil. The funniest thing about this film is that it claims Charlie Wilson and his lover basically defeated the Soviets in Afghanistan. And that American interference in the rest of the world is about good heart but ignorance rather than motivated by money and imperialism.

It's a fun, interesting film with great dialogue. Yes, it's quite American and Julia Roberts looks slightly wierd, but it is a very interesting story. In contrast to the review above, I liked the ending, it wasn't heavy handed and let the viewer to make the link themselves with what followed in Afghanistan. Very enjoyable.

An interesting and enjoyable movie giving an insight into the past (and present) troubles in Afghanistan. Great performances from Hanks and Hoffman (a man in form). Go see and ignore the dodgy posts below.

The comments posted so far demonstrate how difficult it is to satisfy a broad audience. If the film makers set out to entertain and inform the typical voter, they generally succeed, They help place contemporary events in a context relevant today, and show how current leadership in the USA is lacking in any understanding of the impact and relevance of even the most recent history.

HAHAHA Martin Freye you nerd. Is quite a bad film though.