Charlie Wilson’s War is outstanding on so many levels that I’m not sure where to start. I guess my top two favorites are Philip Seymour Hoffman’s gorgeous rendering of the Columbo-like CIA agent Gust Avrakotos, and Aaron Sorkin’s fabulously crisp and entertaining script.
Mr. Hoffman is truly one of the greatest actors of our time. He disappears into his roles. He’s done a zillion movies, but I’ll mention three. I loved him in Flawless, and his brilliant portrayal of a villain was surely the highpoint of Mission Imposible III. He was remarkable in Capote. In CWW it took me a moment to accept that it was really him in the role. He just disappeared into it. My only disappointment is that I can’t have him, in character, to my house for dinner.
Mr. Sorkin is known for his sharply-honed dialog. Consider his outstanding work on West Wing. In this movie he explains to Charlie Wilson, played by Tom Hanks, that the emerging policy on Afghanistan is being worked on by “Me and three other guys.” That’s so cool. This movie can make you care about Afghanistan.
Tom Hanks is great too, so is Julia Roberts, and don’t overlook the interviews in the bonus material.
Anyway, turn on your biggest television, run the sound through your stereo system, and enjoy!
I welcome your comments.
