Charlie Wilson's War

NEW YORK (CNS) -- A rollicking, hard-driving comedy, "Charlie Wilson's War" (Universal) is also a sophisticated political drama based on real events. The story it tells is, like its protagonist, at once breezy and serious, likable but morally muddled.

In the early 1980s, Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks) was an obscure yet quietly powerful Texas congressman with a taste for single-malt whiskey, casino hot tubs and questionable companions. Well ahead of most of his colleagues, however, he took an interest in the plight of the Afghan people following the ruthless Soviet invasion of their homeland that had begun in 1979.

Sharing his concern, and his insight into the potential advantages of a Russian defeat, was wealthy, ostensibly pious socialite Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts). Together they made a potent duo, with Wilson able to appropriate ever-increasing sums through Congress and Herring making sure all the "right" people were on board. In between, they were also casual lovers.

Out in the cold over at CIA headquarters, meanwhile, was gifted but volatile agent Gust Avrakotos (Philip Seymour Hoffman). Thanks to his uncouth manner and his confrontational approach toward his superiors, he had been languishing for years without a real assignment.

Discovering a kindred spirit in Wilson, Avrakotos soon sets to work patching together an unlikely alliance of Israeli and Arab leaders willing to work together behind the scenes to funnel money and arms to the then-little-known mujahedin fighters. Once those supplies began to reach the guerrillas, the toll on the Russian forces in terms of tanks, helicopters and planes quickly escalated.

Veteran director Mike Nichols' film recounts these events adeptly. The cast is uniformly convincing, with Ned Beatty putting in a brief but fine-tuned appearance as Wilson's indispensable committee chairman, "Doc" Long.

The script revels in the comic divide between its main character's disreputable lifestyle, which is portrayed at times quite graphically, and his historic achievement. Yet the implication that we are being invited to excuse, or even celebrate, the one in light of the other is certainly problematic. As a vivid cinematic treatment of a crucial chapter in recent American history, however, "Charlie Wilson's War" achieves its objectives.

The film contains sustained upper female and rear nudity, implied nonmarital sex, drug use, sexual humor, irreverent dialogue, pervasive rough and some crude and crass language, and scenes of wounded children. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

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Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops