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Director: Mike Nichols

Cast: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Om Puri, Emily Blunt.

Runtime: 97mins

Firstly, its not a political drama. Its much more of a lighter side to politics where issues are dealt with more better by adding a mix of humour and alcohol.

Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks) is a typical,well-liked US congressman, with a reputation for chasing skirts and high flying lifestyle. But this all starts to change when he became a friend of the president of Pakistan and subsequently pays a visit to Afghanistan, which is under attack from the Soviet army. Seeing the suffering of innocent women and children, his conscience began to prick him and telling him hes a nice warm-hearted person. He then goes on to arrange secret covert weapons sent to Afganistan to help them fight the Russian oppressors. The movie then follows him showing how he set it up and what all he had to do to get the money and the weapons necessary. He is contacted by Gus (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) who is one of the 3 agents appointed by the US government to solve the Afghan problems. The budget for the operation was set at a very low $5million at which price no weapons could be purchased,so Charlie inorder to raise it to a higher value had to convince people.

Tom Hanks as Charlie was so perfect, the way he manipulates people and gets the things done. He also needed help from Joanne (Julia Roberts) who would do anything to get herself in the afghan issue for a religious cause. Phillip Seymour Hoffman, as we all know can act. But he did in this movie is something even more than that. He has given life to his character. At some points in the film you can see Tom Hanks and Phillip Seymour Hoffman kind of going head to head. The most natural performance seen for a character with a pot bellied agent. No wonder he was nominated for the Golden Globes and will get the Oscar nod as well.Good performances by Any Adams (Enchanted, Catch me if you can) and and a small cameo by Emily Blunt.

The Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin is very apt and to the point. No waste of time blabbering unwanted dialogues, instead focuses on giving more effective ones. Mike Nichols has taken a different subject and tried to venture out as usual. From the Director who gave us films like Primary Colors and Closer, I wouldn’t call it a failure at all. Its an eye-opener in more ways that none.

Charlie Wilson’s War is a satirical take on politics and with some good performances is surely a must watch.