Charlie Wilson's War (2007)

Director:

Mike Nichols

Writers (WGA):

Aaron Sorkin (screenplay)
George Crile (book)

Release Date:

21 December 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Tagline:

Based on a true story. You think we could make all this up?

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.

Plot Keywords:

Texan | Deception | Orchestral Music Score | Meeting | Female Nudity

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 10 nominations

Cast

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	...	Charlie's Angels - Receptionist

Also Known As:

Guerre selon Charlie Wilson, La (Belgium: French title) (France) [fr]
Juego de poder (Argentina) (Mexico) [es]
Carlija Vilsona kars (Latvia) [lv]
Charlie Wilson háborúja (Hungary) [hu]
Charlie Wilson'in savasi (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Charlie Wilsoni sõda (Estonia) [et]
Charlie Wilsonin sota (Finland) [fi]
Combat de Charlie Wilson, Le (Canada: French title) [fr]
Guerra di Charlie Wilson, La (Italy) [it]
Jogos do Poder (Brazil) [pt]
Krieg des Charlie Wilson, Der (Germany) [de]
Paihnidia exousias (Greece) [el]
Rat Carlija Vilsona (Serbia) [sr]
Soukromá válka pana Wilsona (Czech Republic) [cs]
Wojna Charliego Wilsona (Poland) [pl]

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language, nudity/sexual content and some drug use.

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Dari | Arabic | Russian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Brazil:14 | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | South Korea:15 | Malaysia:18PL | Netherlands:12 | USA:R (certificate #44037) | Hong Kong:IIB | UK:15 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Ireland:15A | Argentina:13 | Singapore:NC-16 | Finland:K-11 | Germany:12 | Sweden:7 | Australia:M | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud)

Filming Locations:

Downey Studios - 12214 Lakewood Boulevard, Downey, California, USA

Company:

Good Time Charlie Productions

Trivia:

Emily Blunt filmed her part in two days.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In some scenes showing Hinds on the ground, there are various Mi-35s shown. These aircraft are very modern derivatives of the infamous Mi-24 Hind-D. These aircraft are distinguished by their distinctive engine casings.

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...

Movie Connections:

References "Charlie's Angels" (1976)

Soundtrack:

BAD GIRLS

Thoroughly Entertaining & Surprisingly Amusing Film

Told in flashback, the film opens in 1989 with Charlie being given award for his role in the defeat of Communism. I must admit my heart sank as at the thought of have to endure yet another earnest, somewhat boring and overlong life story. How wrong was I, because that short scene is as close as the film ever gets to boring.

The film is full of entertaining & amusing set ups and cracking dialogue in some of the most unexpected places. The next scene after the Awards ceremony is Charlie in a Hot-Tub with some naked women and a guy trying to get him to invest in a TV programme. Another rather amusing scene is about 3 quarters into the film comprises Charlie, a group of his rather sexy Secretaries, Phillip Seymour Hoffmans CIA Man and a bottle of Whisky. As to dialogue what about this for a line, "The Senator says, He can teach us to type but can't teach us to grow Tits.". OK, School-boyish I know but the film is laced with great lines.

As to performances well Phillip Seymour Hoffman as usual steals every scene he's in. Hanks is OK but surprisingly to me anyway was Julia Roberts who is very good in the role of a rather eccentric Texas Oil Millionairess.

Charlie Wilson's War is one of the best non Musician Bio-pics in a long while as well as being that rare thing a film that entertains, amuses as well as informs all in equal measure.