Opened: December 21, 2007

Directed by: Mike Nichols

Starring: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Ned Beatty, Christopher Denham, Emily Blunt, Om Puri, Faran Tahir, Rizwan Manji, Ken Stott, John Slattery, Michael Spellman, Denis O’Hare, Jud Tylor, Peter Gerety, Brian Markinson & Shiri Appleby

Based on a little-known true story during the Cold War, Charlie Wilson’s War is a highly entertaining historical film that will keep you laughing around its more dramatic turns.

After receiving a push from Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts), hard-partying Congressman Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks) visits Pakistan and witnesses an Afghan refugee camp. Charlie vows to increase funding to the mujahideen in their efforts against the Soviet Union with the help of CIA operative Gust Avrakotos (Philip Seymour Hoffman).

Hanks, Hoffman and Roberts all find the balance between the more explosive sides of their characters with the seriousness of the subject matter.

Aaron Sorkin’s script is full of punchy dialogue but makes the content easily understandable. The nods of what will happen if America didn’t learn from this are eerie as they unfortunately came true.

Final say: A triumph. ★★★★☆