Congressional Mettle

"Charlie Wilson's War" belongs to another time. For one thing, it takes place in the 1980s when, at the behest of one Texan congressman (if you believe Mike Nichols' cheeky film) the U.S. covertly supplied arms to Afghan's Mujahideen in order to fight the invading Soviets. For those of you keeping score, many of these "freedom fighters" went on to become Al Qaeda. But hey, in the 80s even Rambo fought with them. "Wilson" also belongs to a time when Hollywood was making conscious political satire. More and more, it seems, that time coming back. But is anyone listening? Mr. Nichols' film is so much fun (Politics? Fun?! Nah.), that I sincerely hope so.

The success of the film seems all but assured by pedigree alone. Aside from its director, who's no stranger to courting controversy ("Catch-22", "Silkwood", "Primary Colors"), Julia Roberts takes on her best role since "Erin Brockovich" as Joanne Herring, the "sixth richest woman in Texas". This is a fine, authoritative performance from an actress just getting her second wind. Philip Seymour Hoffman turns in yet another in a string of great performances as brusque CIA op Gust Avrakotos. In a role that seems all but tailor-made for him, Mr. Hoffman is able to do everything he does best (spout snappy dialogue, look disheveled and throw the occasional tantrum). All this behind a moustache and glasses that make him look like (yes, I'll say it) a young Wilford Brimley.

And then there's Tom Hanks as the titular congressman. It's been a while since we've seen this fine actor take on a truly meaty role - one that doesn't cast him as some kind of saint ("Road to Perdition" and "The Ladykillers" had potential but didn't quite do it). It's a pleasure to see the actor embrace this self-described "man of many faults" (most of which involve whiskey and women). Wilson is the kind of Southern gentleman who'll say "clean as my momma's kitchen floor". Then again, he'll also staff his office entirely with buxom secretaries (with the notable exception of Amy Adams as the aide we should all be so lucky to have). When characters repeatedly say "I like you Charlie", we need to believe it. Thanks to Mr. Hanks, we do. He confidently waltzes away with the film.

The "Wilson" script is adapted (from the book by the late George Crile) by Aaron Sorkin, whose ill-fated series "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" was not the proper sounding board for his political-mindedness. This film is. And since this is an Aaron Sorkin script, you can be sure there are plenty of scenes walking down hallways, eating in cafeterias and opening and closing office doors. There's one particularly great sequence as Charlie juggles Gust and an impending indictment.

Like a Michael Moore documentary, "War" presents its views a little too one-sidedly. Not until the end is there a recognition that we, in Charlie's words, "f--ked up the end game." The middle of the film also gets caught up in its own cuteness (I'm not convinced Charlie got Israel and Pakistan to play together over one meal). But that's nitpicking. "War" isn't a documentary, it's a political satire. And it's a smooth, zippy one that clocks in at a lean, unheard-of 94 minutes. Hollywood is showing less fear of crossing the political line recently (witness, "In the Valley of Elah" and "Rendition" among others) but they're also having trouble finding an audience (witness their combined box office). Maybe Mr. Hanks and Ms. Roberts can turn that tide. Hopefully, the time is now.