Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Ned Beatty, Om Puri, Emily Blunt, Shiri Appleby
The only War Charlie Wilson’s likely to have to sign up for is one that pits him against whatever aliens, superheroes or talking chipmunks want to share his stage come release day.
With most of today’s cinemagoers choosing their films based on what grade of computer its effects were designed on, Mike Nichols’ talky true-story will need to find more than Private Ryan to earn its medal at the box-office – it might just need Steve Jobs to give it the thumbs up. But in this film’s tow is an arsenal of firepower– led by captain Tom Hanks – that might just see those inferior popcorn efforts left on the beach to bleed out.
Hanks stars as the scandal-prone Wilson, a Democratic congressman from Texas, who conspired with a rogue CIA operative named Gust Avrakotos to launch an operation to help the Afghan Mujahideen during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
Amy Adams plays Wilson’s loyal aide, Julia Roberts (and a bucket of make-up) plays “the sixth wealthiest woman in Texas” Joanne Herring, and pig-squealing Ned Beatty pops up as politician Doc Long.
“Charlie Wilson’s War” features some sensational performances – Hanks is as good as ever; Philip Seymour Hoffman is at his versatile best – and Nichols’ has managed to successfully blend humour with politics (in a similar fashion to his Clinton-esque piece “Primary Colors”), but unfortunately it’s not going to be the one to convince the popcorn-muncher that uber-expensive action pictures aren’t the best thing on release. There’s just not a lot in the movie – it seems to skim over the important issues and even then, it might’ve been more interesting to ‘learn’ about them in a documentary. Having said that, the film could’ve possessed more punch … and it just doesn’t. There are way too many slow bits and it’s in dire need of a rousing – or some sort of – or memorable ending. Quite simply – and like Ridley Scott’s recent gangster pic “American Gangster” – it just feels a little lazy. I guess the studio thinks that they’ve got Hanks, Roberts and Hoffman and that’s all they need.
Can Chuck find his footing in a world content with plotless pixels? Will he able to able to convince those that’ll listen that Julia Roberts does look good in a bathing suit? And will the awards season acknowledge the film just in time for its attendance figures to get that much needed boost before “Aliens vs. Predator : Requiem” takes its spot on the marquee? Time will tell. For the moment, take one man’s word for it – like any “War”, “Charlie” needs you a lot more than you need it – it had the potential to be something great, but instead merely passes the time (speaking of, it only runs 97 minutes).
Rating : 
Reviewer : Clint Morris
