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Charlie Wilson's War (2007)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
21 December 2007 (USA)
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Tagline:
Based on a true story. You think we could make all this up? more
Plot:
A drama based on a Texas congressman Charlie Wilson's covert dealings in Afghanistan, where his efforts to assist rebels in their war with the Soviets have some unforeseen and long-reaching effects. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Texas
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Afghanistan
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1980s
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Soviet Union
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CIA
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Awards:
Nominated for Oscar.
Another 3 wins
&
10 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(92 articles)
Mike Nichols Has Achieved Much in His Lifetime, Says AFI
(From FilmSchoolRejects. 12 October 2009, 11:51 AM, PDT)
Mike Nichols to Get AFI Life Achievement Honor
(From The Wrap. 11 October 2009, 1:52 PM, PDT)
(From FilmSchoolRejects. 12 October 2009, 11:51 AM, PDT)
Mike Nichols to Get AFI Life Achievement Honor
(From The Wrap. 11 October 2009, 1:52 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Refreshing Political Satire
more (240 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Tom Hanks | ... | Charlie Wilson |
 | Amy Adams | ... | Bonnie Bach |
 | Julia Roberts | ... | Joanne Herring |
 | Philip Seymour Hoffman | ... | Gust Avrakotos |
 | Terry Bozeman | ... | CIA Award Presenter |
 | Brian Markinson | ... | Paul Brown |
 | Jud Tylor | ... | Crystal Lee |
 | Hilary Angelo | ... | Kelly |
 | Cyia Batten | ... | Stacey |
| Kirby Mitchell | ... | Stoned Guy |
 | Ed Regine | ... | Limo Driver |
| Daniel Eric Gold | ... | Donnelly |
 | Emily Blunt | ... | Jane Liddle |
| Peter Gerety | ... | Larry Liddle |
 | Wynn Everett | ... | Receptionist - Charlie's Angels |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for strong language, nudity/sexual content and some drug use.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
102 min
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Ireland:15A |
South Korea:15 |
Singapore:NC-16 |
Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) |
Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) |
Australia:M |
Germany:12 |
Netherlands:12 |
Canada:13+ (Quebec) |
Finland:K-11 |
USA:R (certificate #44037) |
Argentina:13 |
Sweden:7 |
Hong Kong:IIB |
UK:15 |
Malaysia:18PL |
Brazil:14 |
Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) |
Spain:13 |
Portugal:M/12 |
New Zealand:M |
Iceland:12 (original rating) |
Iceland:16 (video rating)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
A special effects assistant was seriously injured when a hand-held mock-up of a Stinger missile exploded as it was being prepared for use in a scene aboard a helicopter.
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Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: In the montage where the Mujahideen shoot down Russian planes and helicopters, four of the aircraft (an A-6 Intruder, an F-4 Phantom, a UH-1 Huey helicopter, and an F-16) are American-made, and would never have been used by the Soviet military.
more
Quotes:
[first lines]
CIA Award Presenter: The defeat and break up of the Soviet empire, culminating in the crumbing of the Berlin wall, is one of the great events of world history. There were many heros in this battle, but to Charlie Wilson must go this special recognition. Just thirteen years ago the Soviet army appeared to be invincible...
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CIA Award Presenter: The defeat and break up of the Soviet empire, culminating in the crumbing of the Berlin wall, is one of the great events of world history. There were many heros in this battle, but to Charlie Wilson must go this special recognition. Just thirteen years ago the Soviet army appeared to be invincible...
more
Movie Connections:
Features "CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite" (1962)
more
Soundtrack:
And He Shall Purify
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (240 total)
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In one of the better movies of the year, Tom Hanks stars as Congressman Charlie Wilson in this sardonically funny and extremely relevant (given reasonably current events) historical comedy-drama surrounding the 1980s Afghan/Soviet fiasco. The Soviets were attacking Afghanistan killing hundreds of people. Why should anyone care? People are dying, right? No, the reason the United States got involved through Charlie Wilson was because the Afghans, in fear they would get blown to sh_t, started illegally coming into Pakistan which in turn p_ssed Pakistani President Mohammad Zia ul-Haq off. Charlie Wilson in an effort to fix this situation teamed up with the sixth richest woman and religious fanatic in Texas, Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts) and a amusing and robust American spy for the CIA, Gust Avrakotos (Philip Seymour Hoffman) to help supply Afghans with high-tech weapons to destroy Soviet fight air-craft that would try and attack their land.
Although certainly not a serious Oscar contender for Best Picture, 'Charlie Wilson's War' is probably one of the best of the many political films of the year. Academy Award Winner Mike Nichols provides solid directing as to be expected while Emmy Award Winner Aaron Sorkin (Sport's Night, The West Wing) provides a remarkable screenplay that near-flawlessly balances comedy and drama. The acting is great for the most part as well. Tom Hanks delivers his best and most enjoyable performance since his 2000 Oscar-nominated turn as a FedEx worker stranded on a tropical island in 'Cast Away'. Hanks takes a slimy character like Wilson and with his trademark charm turns him into a likable guy. Amy Adams and Ned Beatty are reliable as always, but the real stand-out performance of the film is from Philip Seymour Hoffman. Arguably the finest actor working in the film industry today, Hoffman takes a small supporting role and upstages everyone around him. From his first scene where he's screaming at his boss before violently breaking his window, Hoffman sucks you in. The only disappointing cast member is unsurprisingly overrated Hollywood starlet Julia Roberts. Hamming her way through yet another movie, Roberts' overbearing and over-the-top portrayal of a rich Texas oil woman hits all the wrong notes and is at most times flat-out annoying. At 97 minutes, the movie is short and sweet, and that isn't to say it doesn't drag at some points but when it does drag it's for a very brief amount of time.
In conclusion, 'Charlie Wilson's War' is not a perfect film by any means, but it's certainly worth a look. Grade: B+