By Thomas Ferguson

WAR…what is it good for? It's a question that has been asked and even sung for decades. With our country in its current political climate, studios have made a mad dash to get relevant material in theaters, most taking the dramatic road. Luckily, Charlie Wilson’s War does the exact opposite. It entertains and educates with a satirical wit and charm.

Texas congressman Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks) is a smooth talking playboy politician who seems to have everything. He lives the good life , but that life is changed forever when he becomes aware of the turmoil in Afghanistan in the spring of 1980. He feels for the under-developed country and its citizens who are poor and defenseless against attacks from the arrogant and blood-thirsty Soviet Empire.

Wilson is approached by a wealthy Texas socialite named Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts). An on-again off-again relationship between the two leads to a full-on campaign to get weapons to the third world country. Helping them out is a renegade CIA agent named Gust Avrakotos (Philip Seymour Hoffman) who assists with securing the funding and the overall execution of this covert operation of ‘good will’ — an operation they hope will bring an end to the cold war.

Thinking he is doing a good thing for humanity, Wilson is rewarded and called a hero by many, but we all know how that turned out.

Director Mike Nichols has put together a fine cast and taken a brilliant script by West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin; translating it into a funny, hip, and smart movie.
The Oscar-winning pedigree of actors are on top of their game, especially Hoffman who absolutely steals the show. He is definitely on his way to a Best Supporting Actor nomination for the Academy Awards this year.. Hanks and Roberts only help to prove the fact they are stellar actors and could also earn serious nominations this award season.

This movie is a very entertaining take on this important chapter in American history. I was only a child when this event initially took place so I don‘t recall many of the details. It is definitely an eye-opening revelation to know that Mr. Wilson and his team of supporters handed weapons and even trained the people who are causing so many problems for our country now.

Such a sad turn of events, but one I’m glad was told in such straight forward, non-judgmental way.