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Charlie Wilson's War

Charlie Wilson's War

2007
Comedy, Drama
1h 42m
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. (imdb)
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Charlie Wilson's War

2007
Comedy, Drama
1h 42m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 49.03% from 3101 total ratings

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(3101)
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Rated 28 Apr 2009
43
15th
Painfully cliche and features sub-par direction and writing. I expected much better from everyone involved. The only saving grace of this movie is PSH who, as always, gives a stellar and quite funny performance. If it wasn't for him I would have rated this in the twenties. F for the film, B for Seymour Hoffman.
Rated 22 Jun 2008
90
78th
A fun comedy of ethics. A charming script that avoids most of Sorkin's bad habits, though it leaves the nagging suspicion that the real point of the movie is tacked on as an afterthought. Pretty much every performance is spot on, and I think Mike Nichols is beginning to enjoy a little career renaissance.
Rated 12 Feb 2014
80
68th
I like movies about politics, and I like Aaron Sorkin, but I didn't see this movie for like seven years because Julia Robert's face was on all the posters. She's barely in it. I wish somebody had told me that.
Rated 31 Dec 2007
70
71st
Philip Seymour Hoffman: tremendous moustache.
Rated 01 Aug 2008
65
18th
the script was fun and smooth but except the performance of hoffmann, the movie gives nothing. in fact it was a nothing but a bad us propaganda. 140 minutes movie about how us killed communists in afghanistan and acceptance of huge failure in afghanistan just for 2-3 seconds? well thanks for that, we really need it.
Rated 29 Dec 2007
83
67th
Charlie Wilson's War is as entertaining as movies can get. A tightly written script and excellent acting ensures attention come award season. Hoffman is particularly superb and Hanks, Adams, and Roberts do their parts well also. Nichols has been in a slump for many years now, but it looks like he finally got back on track with this gem. It may not be the best movie of the year but it's still a great political drama/comedy that could certainly be enjoyed by all.
Rated 24 Dec 2007
78
54th
Definitely NOT comedy. Pretty good despite me not understanding the specifics of what they're talking about. Tom, Philip, and Amy Adams are awesome...I don't see why this Julia Roberts is so beloved, she ain't nothin' special.
Rated 02 Jul 2009
82
76th
Fantastically entertaining if lightweight political drama that's driven by Sorkin's great script, that is full of witty dialog and great characters, and a superb cast which really bring Sorkin's work to life. Though it never really feels like it gives the viewer a real massive punch of political intrigue it's still a film that is certainly worth a watch.
Rated 05 Jan 2008
88
89th
Hanks and Hoffman give Oscar worthy performances in Charlie Wilson's War.
Rated 25 Jul 2008
63
33rd
I wasn't convinced of the honesty of the film. Selective attention to world problems and a movie which in the entire duration feels like it's glorafying USA but in the last statement nuances that image. ... The movie aspect of Charlie Wilson's War on the other hand is not bad. Delicious acting of, again, PS Hofman and some edgy dialogues. ... Besides of the hypocrisy not bad.
Rated 11 Nov 2015
65
45th
A fine biopic I guess. Per usual Phillip Seymour Hoffman is the highlight. The scenes where people are politicking and wheeling and dealing are the most interesting, probably because they involve a lot of dialogue and Aaron Sorkin was the writer. The film didn't seem to have any idea how to end, and just rushes to a plop.
Rated 01 Jan 2008
74
62nd
Aaron Sorkin's text is charming as usual. The film is also well crafted but somehow it does not have a za-za-zu!
Rated 12 Jul 2008
72
63rd
Excellent casting and excellent script to highlight an apparently forgotten, but crucial, decade in American history. Hoffman is, as usual, spectacular.
Rated 22 May 2011
70
37th
It all seemed a little average but it could have been great. Hanks and Hoffman were great but the directing was a little sub-par, the writing was clever and snappy if a little tiresome. An ok film, a light political drama.
Rated 27 Dec 2007
7
84th
A well-written and well-acted (except for Julia Roberts) political drama. It succeeds over other recent political talkers such as Lions for Lambs and its ilk largely because it takes on its serious topics with a light, frequently comic touch, never getting too stuffy for its own good. Philip Seymour Hoffman rocks.
Rated 05 Jul 2008
75
71st
In spite of the shots of bazooka that explode Soviet helicopters, the most accurate shots are even the dialogs. Hanks always well and Hoffman created a totally new guy for his gallery of great characters. Totally is worthwhile.
Rated 14 Jul 2008
70
55th
Just like every review said...good movie that just missing something and preventing it from being great. Phillip Seymour Hoffman should have won an Oscar for this role.
Rated 25 Aug 2009
75
44th
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.
Rated 08 Sep 2009
70
52nd
Its fun and well made. Tom Hanks is charming. Emily Blunt is sexy. But its nothing deep or intelligent.
Rated 10 Aug 2008
60
62nd
PS Hoffman and T Hanks made that movie worth watching, a nice display of how the americans trained their future enemies
Rated 07 Sep 2008
87
92nd
We f***ed up the end game - and how. An entertaining tale but it feels strangely light.
Rated 02 Feb 2008
87
94th
Charlie Wilson's War is entertaining with a thought-provoking political message. Basically, your typical Aaron Sorkin material. Tom Hanks gives his most vibrant performance since his supporting role as Carl Hanratty in Catch Me If You Can. Speaking of supporting roles, Phillip Seymour Hoffman as disgruntled CIA agent Gust Avakotos is truly magnificent. His first meeting with Charlie Wilson is hysterical.
Rated 19 Feb 2008
53
8th
Terribly preachy and not funny at all.
Rated 22 Aug 2016
85
69th
A true story that you wouldn't believe as fiction. Tom Hanks' dissolute senator and Philip Seymour Hoffman's prickly analyst combine to arm Afghanistan and push back the Soviet threat... but are knocked back when they ask for funding to complete the job by rebuilding once the fighting's over.
Rated 30 Dec 2007
74
79th
Very entertaining, solid and timely political drama nearly derailed by Julia Roberts. A must see for anyone who likes to learn about our nation's previous endeavors with Afghanistan but doesn't like reading.
Rated 20 Jul 2009
88
57th
Another one of Aaron Sorkins highlights. Tom Hanks is perfect in this role and the script does the rest. Also ... Philip Seymor Hoffmann!
Rated 12 Jul 2008
84
46th
A smart-witted film with some great humorous exchanges between Tom Hanks as Charlie Wilson and Hoffman as Gust Avrakotos, in particular, watching the chess and office scenes are a delight rarely found in today's lackluster movies. In addition, director Mike Nichols maintains the intensity, ferocity and drama of the latter years of the Cold War provided by a well-written script. Charlie Wilson's War, nevertheless, is overshadowed by its wit and humor rather than the political driven story it is.
Rated 15 Dec 2009
2
39th
Battle scenes were simply ridiculous, Hoffman was great, everything else was mediocre.
Rated 15 Jul 2015
75
70th
Great cast with a brilliant writer Aaron Sorkin. Despite its lack of seriousness it's a good movie to see.
Rated 13 Jan 2008
72
25th
At first it looked to me like just Tom Hanks talking in a less convincing Southern accent than in The Green Mile. But as the story unfolded, I warmed to everything. By the end of the movie, I was not watching Tom Hanks. I was watching Charlie Wilson, however accurate the portrayal was.
Rated 13 Apr 2016
60
40th
It was pretty good, but Charlie Wilson's War gets bogged down by a repetitive script and shoddy direction. The cast is awesome, especially Hoffman, though. Arguably, its a pretty good film but the wasted potential in direction is what really bums me out.
Rated 03 Aug 2009
60
52nd
A high quality cast deliver the goods, but as per usual Hoffman is a class above.
Rated 08 Nov 2012
76
22nd
76.000
Rated 06 Jan 2009
44
44th
Snoozefest. Their horrible accents made it almost impossible to focus on much else.
Rated 16 Jul 2009
86
75th
Intelligent, informative, and surprisingly funny. A good primer on how we have gotten where we are today.
Rated 13 May 2008
82
62nd
Fun movie, acting cast did a fine job. Except Phillip Seymor Hoffman. He did a fucking fantastic job. Historically inaccuracies take points off, as well as the "in medias res" beginning, which only works for epic movies, which this was not.
Rated 10 Jan 2010
58
60th
PSH looking exasperated in every scene added some points.
Rated 29 Jun 2017
65
0th
.
Rated 21 Jul 2010
45
41st
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.
Rated 29 Sep 2009
82
46th
Was expecting a better movie.
Rated 20 Oct 2011
76
52nd
Awesome movie.
Rated 14 Jan 2008
74
63rd
Mike Nichols has a great cast and some fun scenes to let them shine, but his script deserves more stinging humor and irony. Supporting actor Hoffman seems to single-handedly carry the interest of the film - when he's on-screen we are glued to his performance. His CIA character Gust is funny, sarcastic, and he hits just the right notes to hold Hanks and Roberts in check when they should be powering the movie. The film is light on its feet, and that's what's keeping it shy of greatness.
Rated 11 Jan 2008
77
46th
Unless you have a vested interested in the Afghan/Soviet war, or just really enjoy watching Tom Hanks get all nuded up and lust after women, you can probably skip this film. It's not bad, but I was expecting more.
Rated 02 Jan 2010
58
54th
Satire should have been much more heavier and clearer, and the plot should have focused on characters more. Prior knowledge of the events depicted and how they affected the future is needed to understand the film, and the main 'joke' of it. I bet it is a huge disappointment, especially for those who read the book. Hoffman is stellar like always, though.
Rated 19 Mar 2008
75
68th
The cast is great across the board -- especially Hoffman -- and Sorkin fills our ears with sharp dialog. It's a little disconcerting that one man can do all this on his own authority, but it proves to be heroic in this case. Strange that this story isn't more well-known, considering it is a pretty big deal. I have to think a film is flawed however, when its climax is an action montage. Still, a very enjoyable movie whose actions cast a shadow over the conflicts of today. Worth the watch.
Rated 21 Jan 2008
55
35th
+ worth experiencing
Rated 25 Nov 2017
84
62nd
|BACKFILLING LOAD OF FILMS NOT SEEN FOR LONG TIME -> Scores poss 20-30% out. Grateful if U drop me a cordial msg if U think memory dulled a gem or gave rosy tint 2 clunker. IE. Tell me WHY Im wrong & what U think I should score
Rated 06 May 2011
40
10th
Very dry docu-drama. This is the story of the original Texas prick. Before they gave us President pussy George and King George W I Was Never Elected and Stole, Lied, and Cheated My Way To Being King, King Bush 1st; there was Charlie Wilson. The man who caused the rise of AQ and the war on terror we fight today. A war then, as now, based on enslavement to fantasy cloud people floating in the sky. Not freedom. Then was our great comrades of superior Communism, today Islam. Next? Atheists? Prick!
Rated 16 Apr 2008
79
61st
I didn't know there's Amy Adams in there until the credits, I just didn't recignise her in a role which is so different from Enchanted's Gisselle. There should be a large note in the beginning of the movie saying ''AMY ADAMS IS IN THIS MOVIE! PAY ATTENTION!''. Err, anyway, nice movie. Nothing special, but worth the trip to the cinema.
Rated 28 Jul 2010
0
0th
An awfully boring, helplessly blank film with a dreadful scipt and pathetic acting.
Rated 19 Dec 2011
67
20th
I think Tom Hanks was miscast in this movie. There were some interesting moments but overall the film did not appeal to me.
Rated 26 Dec 2007
87
69th
Lightweight political drama/comedy that never feels stupid, pandering, or fluffy.
Rated 03 Mar 2010
70
56th
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.
Rated 15 Dec 2011
70
43rd
Hoffman is the best thing about it. Not completely satirical, and it suffers for it. At times, you don't know whether to laugh or not. Also, didn't notice Amy Adams was in this until recently...the things I would do to that woman
Rated 04 Mar 2012
79
23rd
Story: 9 Screenplay: 8 Acting: 9 Cinematography: 7 Editing: 8 Directing: 7 Entertainment Value: 8.5 Music: 6.5
Rated 16 Jan 2008
50
39th
Interesting. War montage aside, what does it mean that one man in government can wage a billion dollar covert war? Sometimes feels like actors are trying too hard.
Rated 19 Feb 2008
75
72nd
Dialogue is pretty funny thanks to Aaron Sorkin and Hoffman is having a great year with another amazing performance. Weakest link is the director Mike Nichols who seems to be lost.
Rated 13 Feb 2010
85
83rd
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.
Rated 20 Oct 2010
20
41st
"As for the nuts-and-bolts of political strategy, Nichols navigates them as prosaically as he did in his last treatment of a sybaritic pol, the trivial Primary Colors." - Bill Weber
Rated 23 Apr 2008
64
28th
Cozy and very good acting by both Hoffman and Hanks. Still, the story is too empty to be interesting.
Rated 28 Jul 2009
72
55th
Worth watching simply because of the sheer brilliance that is Philip Seymour Hoffman (actually the weakest of his 3 stellar perfs from 2007). He and Tom Hanks actually share fantastic chemistry. Overall, a true disappointment from someone of Aaron Sorkin's caliber.
Rated 23 Mar 2009
75
54th
Fun. Thats all.
Rated 13 Aug 2008
70
76th
Intriguing story about a part of american politics I knew nothing about. Good perfomances of Hanks and Hoffman, very witty dialogues.
Rated 29 Feb 2008
45
16th
this film has so many flaws I wonder how it was ever released, there are no consistencies both in the plot, a mix of sex, scandal, drug, booze, war, profit etc. doesn't necessarily turn out to be successful and intriguing story, and in Roberts' and Hanks' acting (they are mainly just terrible; in fact haven't seen such a bad screen couple for some time). Hoffman is generally good but this is a huge stain in Mike Nichols' filmography.
Rated 23 Jun 2008
77
85th
Loved it.
Rated 25 Jun 2009
70
23rd
Eh.
Rated 21 Apr 2009
80
79th
Interesting story. Really exaggerates Wilson's part in the situation, but entertaining none the less.
Rated 20 Apr 2008
75
61st
The directing drives every point home with the brute force of a sledgehammer, but the cast does a fantastic job with Sorkin's script. Worth watching for Hoffman at the very least.
Rated 19 May 2008
85
90th
Hoffman was great in this movie. Such an underrated actor. Hanks was good too. Roberts was meh. Good movie and the interaction between Hanks and Hoffman in the office scene is great.
Rated 08 Aug 2012
55
23rd
If you like Sorkin when he's being clever, and not when he's being jingoistic (as I do) then you can just go ahead and skip this one.
Rated 03 Dec 2012
50
47th
Nothing special. The writing, direction and performances in CWW could all be defined by these two little words. The (true) story however is important, and should have earned itself much more attention than the surprisingly short run-time allows. Sparks into life occasionally but everything here is disappointingly undercooked.
Rated 25 Apr 2014
77
55th
76.500
Rated 15 Jul 2009
70
41st
Enjoyable enough, taking a comic tone toward a serious issue, much like it appears the real Charlie Wilson did in the 1980s. Hoffman's character is the real standout here though, his vicious and vulgar attacks on everyone and everything are bitingly funny. The story moves along at a nice clip, nothing much else really stands out, everything's fairly well amusing. If you aren't looking to get accuracy or a history lesson from this, it should make for a fun evening.
Rated 01 Nov 2009
70
30th
Informative
Rated 19 Feb 2008
77
60th
Hoffman is great and Hanks is better than usually. The story is good too, but Nichols is completely clueless at times.
Rated 08 Sep 2008
65
74th
This really showed up my lack of knowledge of the Cold War. Luckily, that didn't really matter as I managed to be entertained throughout. Thanks Hanks. Thanks.
Rated 05 Apr 2008
75
89th
perhaps overly criticized for not meeting very high expectations, but good use of comedy to highlight a very serious piece of history
Rated 09 Feb 2014
52
16th
The snappy, quick-witted dialog is painfully unfunny and the story is surprisingly devoid of heart. Hanks is decent, Roberts is unremarkable, and Hoffman is the film's saving grace. In fact he's about the only thing I like about this movie. Any scene he wasn't in left me thinking to myself, "Hey, where's Philip Seymour Hoffman?". The man was able to be the high point of every movie he was in. He will be greatly missed.
Rated 24 Feb 2008
50
39th
Sleepy and clueless. Far away from my cup of tea.
Rated 05 May 2008
75
89th
Very good.
Rated 30 Nov 2013
95
98th
I liked it so much I bought the DVD.
Rated 11 Feb 2009
80
38th
Good story to know - great acting, of course!
Rated 19 May 2015
89
98th
Somehow I've seen this movie so many times that I think it reached my most seen yet. It's so imperfectly perfect that I never get bored of it. Sorkin's tight script with Nichols incredible sure hand at directing give Hanks one of his last best roles.
Rated 07 Mar 2008
80
52nd
Mike Nichols directing a political comedy, casting Tom Hanks against type while Philip Seymour Hoffman steals the show? I am quite sold.
Rated 27 Apr 2008
75
59th
Philip Seymour Hoffman is the only reason to see this movie - his performance is hilarious and is the glue holding the movie together.
Rated 07 May 2008
75
68th
Although surprisingly bad editing escaped veterans Mike Nichols (director) and John Bloom & Antonia Van Drimmelen (editors) - which could have originally been avoided by Script Suprvisor Mary Bailey - causing blatant continuity errors, this was a good film. Not a surprise when you add a brilliant writer like Aaron Sorkin and cast members like Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks, and Amy Adams to the mix. It definitely makes you think about current events in light of past ones.
Rated 30 Nov 2012
70
61st
A funny, sprightly tribute to the American can-do spirit, with a bleak ending that suggests that our plucky protagonist may have just dug his own (or, in this case, his country's) grave.
Rated 25 Apr 2008
49
28th
A stomache-turning glimpse at how our country's power-brokers get things done. Brilliant performances by Roberts, Hoffman, and Hanks don't overcome the rather boring storyline.
Rated 27 Dec 2008
88
85th
Great comedic history lesson with superb acting. A movie that definitely should be seen if you're looking to learn about the cold war in a funny and informitave way. Grade: A-
Rated 26 Nov 2008
83
79th
Didn't think I would like it, and once again I was wrong. Hanks did a great job, and PSH was really good with his dry humor. The office windon scene was a nice way to start things off for him. It did a good job of teaching you some history while entertaining. The one down point of this film is Julia Roberts. I thought she was annoying, and wasn't a good fit for the role, but what do I know. Also in a nice small role I thought Amy Adams did a good job as Hanks assistant. Good flick.
Rated 27 Jun 2008
70
76th
good movie
Rated 24 Sep 2012
70
72nd
A strangely lighthearted approach to a serious subject. It suffers at times from some lousy directing, and often borders on outright jingoism. The very sharp script saves it, and is delivered with aplomb by both Hoffman and, surprisingly, Hanks. I can't vouch for how closely it mirrored actual events, but it kept me entertained.
Rated 24 Jun 2008
50
27th
I was disappointed with this film - I didn't find it particularly attention grabbing or entertaining.
Rated 01 May 2010
6
27th
Philip Seymour Hoffman is great while the film is only mediocre.
Rated 29 Jul 2008
75
31st
meh!
Rated 10 Feb 2008
45
44th
Look, I like the concept, and was looking forward to this film with some fears for its realization. I like those opening scenes, but not the CGI helicopters and the heavy-handed melodrama. Neither Hanks nor Roberts are very believable. And I'm not sure we needed anymore fuel to the "Rahssians are Asiatic Barbarians" fire. Still, there's a point to this satire, and it is prudent and the film is not a waste by any means.
Rated 22 Aug 2015
5
25th
If it wasn't for Hoffman's delightfully abrasive Gust there wouldn't be much to really latch onto in this scattered political drama/comedy: The offbeat bureaucratic humour is good and works fine with the jumpy direction and quick run-time, but when more serious war themes are inserted into the mix the film starts to feel a little messy and rushed-with the abrupt switch from the provoking "Zen master" final thought to the cliche and sappy string-laced conclusion being the worst example of this.
Rated 06 Sep 2009
100
51st
powerful
Rated 07 May 2009
5
23rd
hate to be 'that guy', but read the book it's based on. this movie's like a cliffs notes of a cliffs notes version that sacrifices too many details and nuance of this complicated and important story.
Rated 23 Jan 2009
77
71st
A sort of genteel movie with a touch of comedy. Well played, even though Roberts is like my least favorite actress.

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