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Sorry, but I beg to differ. If this were a fictional character and story, you might have a point, ...

70.248.63.83

Audiophilander

In Reply to: RE: Charlie WIlson's War posted by Duilawyer on January 15, 2008 at 10:24:03

...but this is based upon actual events.

>>> "Peculiarly uninvolving, I don't know why this movie had no emotional content for me. Perhaps Charlie Wilson, as played by Hanks, being a pig, Roberts being a prig, poor directing and acting making the women appear as children\strippers sexpots. Bad script making the women all charicatures and men all serious and importantant. 2 stars out of 5." <<<

The direction was excellent, IMO; Mike Nichols was in fine form, and the Arron Sorkin script is tight and seething with dry wit.

Hanks came across as very effective as a politician who was learning the ropes around Washington and how to use the system to great advantage. The women as sexpots may be politically incorrect, but not for Washington DC, especially during the time frame depicted in this film. I would agree that in some instances the obvious sexism is jarring and normally I'd be among the first to disapprove, but I have even greater disdain for revisionism.

Since there is a strong thread of historically accuracy running throughout Charlie Wilson's War (which may have actually been toned down somewhat since the real life Charlie Wilson was apparently even more of a sexist bastard than the film depicts) I have no problem with the outrageous characterizations, much less the ironies and hypocrisy that this film exposes warts and all. In spite of the serious subject matter, the tongue and cheek humor is great fun.

I'd rate this film ***1/2 (maybe 4/5).

Cheers,
AuPh

Follow Ups:

Agreed. The fact that this was based on a true story made it fascinating... - oscar 07:33:04 01/17/08 (0)
now I have to research the accuracy of the story presented though I didn't notice anything that didn't conflict with my "view of the world" during that time period.
I loved it .nt - late 16:11:26 01/16/08 (0)
.
I kind of agree with you...afterall all the women were from Texas. * - mr grits 13:22:09 01/15/08 (0)
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Complicit Constapo Talibangelical since MMIII
I gotta agree and then some - Analog Scott 11:59:48 01/15/08 (5)
After seeing There will be Blood, No country for old men, The Divingbell and the Butterfly and Sweeney Todd I was beginging to think maybe I had simply lost touch with excellence in film given all the praise these films have recieved. Charlie Wilson's war was pretty terrific. Packed full of content, good humor, good story telling and a nice weaving of many layers of content and many perspectives on politics and world affairs.
- Gotta ask...you saw all of the above and liked none?..... - TWB 14:22:16 01/15/08 (4)
  I've seen none of them YET....but would be interested in your comments for all.....especially Sweeney Todd and There Will Be Blood.....I can't imagine that Charlie Wilson was not good given the talent of the leads and Mike Nichols considerable talent.....glad you liked it....
  - RE: Gotta ask...you saw all of the above and liked none?..... - Analog Scott 19:33:59 01/15/08 (3)
    I "liked" Sweeney Todd and No country for old men. I didn't think they were amazing. I did not like the Divingbell and the Butterfly or There will be blood. Maybe I am missing something.
    - Do you normally like the Coen Brothers better efforts? - Harmonia 21:04:23 01/15/08 (2)
      Or Cormac McCarthy's novels? The Coens were very faithful to the spirit and letter of the source material, which dovetailed nicely with their own sensibilities. It may well not jive with yours.
      
      I think the The Diving Bell & The Butterfly is pretty damned wonderful. How a questionable fine artist like Julian Schnabel can be such an amazing, humanistic, brilliant film director is beyond me. But this is a highly interiorized movie, whereas Charlie Wilson's War is more external - more hunor to be sure. But I agree it explores many layers and is very underrated.
      
      I haven't seen There Will Be Blood- it ain't opened in the midlands yet. STILL waiting. Soon here methinks.
      - RE: Do you normally like the Coen Brothers better efforts? - Analog Scott 23:26:16 01/15/08 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Do you normally like the Coen Brothers better efforts? posted by Harmonia on January 15, 2008 at 21:04:23
        
        Yeah I usually love the Coen Bros movies. Fargo, awsome, Oh Brother, fantastic. No Country didn't have nearly as much of the stuff those movies are made of. We just don't agree about Divingbell. I found it to be one of those movies that made me very aware of the relationship between my chair and my butt. That first twentie minutes of Blair witch project photography made me want to walk out.
        
        RThen I think you will probably want to stay away from... - Harmonia 19:20:32 01/16/08 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Do you normally like the Coen Brothers better efforts? posted by Analog Scott on January 15, 2008 at 23:26:16
        
        ...adaptations of Cormac McCarthy novels in future. The boys were very faithful to the book.
        
        I liked NCFOM a lot, even liked Bardem's haircut ;-)
Agreed - at least 3 stars...(nt) - mkuller 11:37:23 01/15/08 (0)
(nt)

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