‘War’ food for thought (3.5/5)

Charlie Wilson's War

Starring: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Directed By: Mike Nichols.
Rating: R for strong language, nudity/sexual content and some drug use.
Running time: 1 hours, 42 minutes.

“Charlie Wilson’s War” (2007) tells the remarkably true story of Texas Congressman Charlie Wilson who, with the aid of rich Texas socialite Joanne Herring and CIA case officer Gust Avrakotos, managed to seemingly undermine the entire Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the early 1980s.

The film itself, directed by Mike Nichols (“Closer”), is engaging and witty, full of political insights and sarcasm. Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman fill their roles immaculately. The moderately short running time also keeps things crisp and at a nice pace, but may lose someone not fully paying attention.

While a blind eye is turned to the tribulations facing Afghanistan by the United States government, Herring (Roberts) refuses to sit idly by. Instead, she throws fundraiser after fundraiser in order to “educate” the people and inform them as to the true events, especially those that occur in the refugee camps.

Herring invites the womanizing, party-loving member of the House Appropriations Committee Congressman Wilson (Hanks) to a fundraiser, and through her womanly charms convinces him to visit the Afghan camps themselves. Faced with the horrors of senseless death and mutilated children, Wilson returns with a new desire to aid in any way possible.

Avrakotos (Hoffman), tired of the government’s indifferent attitude and eager to prevent a potential catastrophic situation in Afghanistan, also turns to Wilson in the hopes of raising more appropriated funds for the torn area.

In the midst of this, Wilson is also put under investigation for recreational drug use by none other than Rudy Giuliani. While to many congressmen this would be a devastating political career blow, as Avrakotos tells Wilson: “As long as the press sees sex and drugs behind the left hand, you can park a battle carrier behind the right hand and no one’s gonna ... notice.”

The pair continue to secretly rally a host of Middle Eastern countries while buddying up to American congressmen in order to raise more and more money, eventually supplying the Afghans with enough weaponry to defend their border.

Hoffman’s portrayal of Gust absolutely makes this movie. His brilliant comedic timing coupled with his ability to make you believe that he truly cares about each turn of events makes him the character to watch. Too, Hanks succeeds as the unlikely hero Charlie Wilson.

The film drives home many thought-provoking points:

• Politics as usual — Would Wilson have been able to accomplish what he did if he were from another district, and therefore unsure about re-election? Elected officials face a difficult choice: Toeing the line in an effort to keep as many constituents pleased as possible, or completely crossing the line in an effort to do what may be best but what may also ultimately cost them their career.

• The ethics code — Was this underhanded, covert operation ethical? Should we have given these arms to the Afghans, knowing that if the Soviets found out it could have sparked an immense war? Could these billions of dollars have been better spent elsewhere?

• The role of the press — Is the media truly more concerned about juicy gossip than what’s actually going on in the world? And if so, how do we change this?

“Charlie Wilson’s War” is not only a film to entertain and illuminate one man’s unique life’s path, but is also one that resonates with current events. Watch it, enjoy it and think about it.

3.5 of 5 stars