Rating of
4/4
Fighting the good fight
yogadad - wrote on 12/27/07
Tom Hanks, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Julia Roberts give three of the most affecting performances of 2007 in this biting satirical black comedy about politics, the Cold War, and terrorism. Until he latched on to support for the Afghani's fighting the Soviet invaders during the 1980s, Charlie Wilson was a little-known representative from an east Texas congressional district. As he said, he was best know for collecting favors and voting yes. That ability allowed him to increase the budget for support of the Afghans from $5 million to $500 million over the course of a few years.
Hanks is perfectly cast as the hard-drinking womanizing Wilson and Julia Roberts pulls off what amounts to a parody of herself with the character of the Texas rich-bitch rapid anti-Communist. Philip Seymour-Hoffman becomes the world-weary CIA warrior. His character and Wilson are made for each other. When the first meet, Wilson asks, "You drink?" He answers, "Oh hell yes." A marriage made in heaven. Hoffman and Hanks play off each other marvelously, two kindred souls who manage to find each other while fighting the good fight against the Communists.
It's a great film. Definitely one of the best of 2007.
