Subscriptions
RSS
Charlie Wilson’s War - A Review
In October when the buzz really started for Mike Nichols’ new film Charlie Wilson’s War I suggested in a preview that this film would feel a lot like being bought. Big time directors teaming with multiple award winning actors to do period war pieces is usually a recipe for Oscar gold. I said this in jest but hoped for the best. Well, sometimes Steinbrenner wins those championships for a reason.
This film delivers on nearly all fronts. The acting, as one might expect is great. The subject matter is poignant. Most importantly, the film is altogether entertaining. I only have two criticisms. First, Julia Roberts’ performance though passable is pretty forgettable. Second, Nichols could have done much more with his camera to make this film more interesting. Though The Graduate is not Citizen Kane as far as lighting, cinematography, and editing go, it is very high quality in all. He does not come close to that work here. The camera work and editing leave much to be desired.
The best parts of this film start with the performance of Phillip Seymour Hoffman. The man seems to have appeared in more films in the last fifteen years than any other working actor, and he is a treat to watch in all of them. Here he portrays CIA man Gust Avrakotos with such memorable style, that it is certainly one of the performances of the year. It is a shame that he will have to face the likes of Javier Bardem come awards season.
Tom Hanks does a fine job in carrying the picture. Though the performance is not on par with some of his best work the film certainly benefits from it. He gives the flawed yet serious congressman a wonderful depth that most could not. He gives a classic comedic Hanks performance tied with the serious actor we know today and mirrors that with the beaurucratic clusterfuck that is Washington D.C.
The story of Charlie Wilson and his accomplices in this war makes for a wonderful tale and the story delivers on what most of the audience was waiting for. The film is truly not about what it took for Wilson to beat back the Soviets from Afghanistan, but the vacuum that was left there to be taken advantage of by the likes of Osama bin Laden and the Taliban. In the denial of Charlie’s last request Nichols is foreshadowing how we will pay for that mistake.
Charlie Wilson’s War may not be one of the catchiest or best titles for a film this year, but it is one of the year’s best films. Already nominated for several Golden Globe Awards, this should be a big contender for several Academy Awards, and deservedly so.
Last 5 posts by Chris
- Rose is Rose is a Man! - November 14th, 2008
- Faith in Fringe - November 14th, 2008
- Sounding Presidential - November 3rd, 2008
- First Look at Lost's 5th Season - October 25th, 2008
- Becoming Fanatical - October 23rd, 2008
Comments
6 Responses to “Charlie Wilson’s War - A Review”
Leave a Reply
I just knew you were going to see this tonight LOL I know you too well.
This looks pretty good despite the fairly bland topic. I wonder if this will be a hit - can Hanks and Roberts still draw huge audiences, especially for something like this?
I think they can, especially Hanks. The movie is really funny and I think that will help it a lot as far a box office goes.
Here’s an interesting article about Julia Roberts in this movie:
http://talkingmoviezzz.blogspot.com/2007/12/was-julia-roberts-away-too-long.html
I thought the same thing about Hoffman and Bardem after seeing this. He would be a sure thing for the Oscar, but there is no way he can beat Bardem.
Very good film.
@ Moviezzz: Very insightful article.
I think you are exactly right about the other female characters introduced before her being more interesting and taking away some of her thunder from the audience.
I don’t think the pregnency thing makes a huge difference, I just think it was an altogether underwhelming performance.
I am not looking forward to Julia trying a southern accent again. But I am going to go see this one.