A film that seems to want to highlight the humorous inept qualities of cold war bureaucracy but limps along into mediocrity. It seems to lack the bravery to act as outright political satire so it toes the line between comedy and historical fact. The madcap stylistic flourishes and acting at times are only a distraction to a mediocre script. Deep down the Hollywood cliches are still all there..one man triumphing against "evil" blah blah etc.. Still entertaining but profound and ballsy it ain't.

An important piece of history, and a fascinating insight into the haphazard and shambolic way policy is made in the US Congress. But for all its importance, it's carried off with a light touch and a sense of fun.

Philip Seymour Hoffman is great while the film is only mediocre.

Stock footage of helicopters blowing up and historic context don't do much too help what is largely a movie about congressional budget committees. Charlie Wilson as a character is portrayed as faultless and wholly moral, with any of his philandering sleaziness excused by Tom Hanks as being part of the eccentric charm of the man. Wilson is a character of little action and tethering all of the events to him, spins one of the more interesting turns of history into an alcoholic beltway anecdote.

reviews, writer Sorkin, casting

"Charlie Wilson's War" is an awfully boring, helpless story. The scipt is totally dreadful and the acting is pathetic. What a blank (and dangerous for the viewer's mental health) film.

powerful

I think I like the idea of the movie more than the execution. It's pleasing and fun, but as a satire it's weak, pulling punches and reserving the big bite to a quick afterthought.

Its fun and well made. Tom Hanks is charming. Emily Blunt is sexy. But its nothing deep or intelligent.

Was expecting a better movie.