Aaron Sorkin has always played fast-and-loose with truth in the name of good drama. Typically, this is a strength of his: The Social Network and Steve Jobs are both improved by ignoring fidelity in favor of modern tech-mythology.
In Charlie Wilson’s War, this becomes a limitation: You can feel Sorkin resisting the urge to tell a really juicy story but bound by realities of a complex geopolitical situation that’s still playing out today. The final title card basically admits the “messy hero” angle on protagonist Charlie Wilson is, at best, reductive; at worst, a pretty big misfire. Perhaps Sorkin knew he was in over his head and so tread lightly, or maybe he felt pressure to tell a neutered version (Wikipedia cites rumors that Hanks shot down some darker material). But something caused him to pull punches; the story is just too tame.
The movie clings to watchability thanks to some fun performances. It’s no surprise that Phillip Seymour Hoffman is magnetic as a maverick, no-BS agent. Hanks feels slightly miscast as a playboy; sleaze is not his wheelhouse, but he still gives dimension and charisma to the character. Julia Roberts is fine, and Amy Adams does her best to bring some depth to a criminally small and flat role. Both Adams and Roberts are subject to a few out-of-nowhere “male gaze” shots where Mike Nichols tries to play up the trashy fun to little effect.
By half-assedly straddling the line between romp and political drama, Sorkin and Nichols end up with a weak version of both, a vaguely funny-ish story that only crackles in a handful of moments. The reliance on newsreel and stock footage feels imported in from a totally different movie, and the tone from scene-to-scene is a roulette spin. Given all the talent involved and that it’s Nichols’ last picture, it’s a major disappointment.
- Review Series: Tom Hanks
Is It Good?
Not Very Good (3/8)
Note: This review was published early in The Goods' history and is a candidate for an expanded review in the future. Please excuse brevity or inconsistencies in style.
Dan is the founder and head critic of The Goods. Follow Dan on Letterboxd. Join the Discord for updates and discussion.