Charlie Wilsons War Nothing But A Bore
Before I saw this film I envisioned writing this review applauding its excellence and enthusiasm so it was quite a shock to not be able to feel anything for this film at all. The best feeling I can muster is that of lukewarm. I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it. In fact I feel absolutely nothing and no interest to it. Having seen it only a few days ago I have already erased most of it from my memory. Never a good sign for a multi-million dollar picture.
Of course Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts are always nice to see but not in their usual Oscar winning style, more like a comfortable old sweatshirt that you’ll always like but are no longer excited by. What stood out is the performance of Philip Seymour Hoffman. He is without a doubt the best thing in this film (isn’t he always?).
To be honest although stuff happens not much really happens. Everything comes very easily to Mr Charlie. We don’t really feel the depth or hardship of any of the characters. Nor do we ever really learn much about them except that Charlie loves sex and drugs and of course the war against communism. Though he certainly seems to enjoy the first two pleasures more. What he and the film in general lack is passion. And without passion are the audience really going to care about them or what happened?
Yes, there is a political message which can be argued for some is a good eye opener . But honestly if you didn’t already know about it are you going to start caring now? Charlie Wilson said it best ‘These things happened. They were glorious and they changed the world… and then we fucked up the endgame.’ Much like Hollywood did to this film.
Filed under: Movies & Cinema
I just went to see this film and I was not expecting much. However, I loved it - so just thought i would share a quick view!
I think it was extremely refreshing to have a political film which did not present the history-changing chain of events it dealt with as a sinister conspiracy theory which average non-clandestine-worker-individuals would never be able to understand (which we all know Hollywood specialises in).
Many major political events have occured due to just one individual chancing upon an opportunity to change things - for the better or worse, albeit for selfish or selfless reasons. This film highlighted that human element very well and did not attempt to over-dramatise the characters.
Whilst I admit there are no nail-biting moments of anticipation- having worked in the realms of government both sides of the Atlantic, I would say its portrayal of the staff and the processes which occur on a daily basis is one of the most realistic I have ever seen from an American film.
Go see and come back here if you disagree - we do like a debate!!
Having read your review I am sure Mr. Wilson and in that matter Mr. Hanks would agree with me that you did not really understand their war.
The fact that the senator was the most brilliant opportunist in bed and politics should be a film in itself and Tom Hanks pulled it off with his cool bravado and arrogance. It would be easy to say that he did this in the opening scene but he kept his performance unhinged throughout. An arrogant Tom Hanks, enough said.
The film is however a history lesson which not many have seemed to have learnt and shows us the possible root of what has befallen upon our lives since. Is it fair to put so much on the shoulders of one scandalous man? Of course not and it is clearly shown by the supporting cast both in the movie and in real life.
Tom Hanks plays a role that we do not often see him in, a man seemingly absent of morals and yet at the end of the movie we feel the most pity for him for the director really made us believe he had a cause. A touch of Hollywood, well this is a film and it served its purpose. The brilliant Julia Roberts plays the vixen so perfectly that one feels they have been touched by ice every time she leaves the scene and yet a second before we felt like she was seducing us. And finally Phillip Seymour Hoffman, little can be said about him except that his performance is as good as always, and I might be wrong to say that we get blinded by his presence to such an extent that we forget what his character is responsible for and what as an actual actor he might have missed.
Aaron Sorkin is not known for explosive action and grand endings, but what he is, is a story teller. And with such fine tools as the director and the three stars his story will be engraved in our minds like it should be.