Charlie Wilson's War (2007)

"Charlie Wilson's War" is one of those rare must-watch films. To explain its plot might put some folks to sleep. That's a shame since it's one of the finest and smartest political satires of our time. And it's all based on a true story.

Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Amy Adams and a scene-stealing Phillip Seymour Hoffman headline the top cats in this Mike Nichols film. Here's the rundown: In late-'70s America, Congressman Charlie Wilson (Hanks) learns of the hopeless fight native Afghans are waging against infringing Soviets. The Muslims use rifles to fight armored tanks and helicopters that slaughter all in their way. Wilson learns from watching "60 Minutes" while sitting in a Las Vegas hotel Jacuzzi with a Playboy bunny, two strippers and a TV producer, all of whom are using coke. True story, folks.
A now determined Wilson soon uses a right-wing, anti-communist millionaire (Roberts) and a CIA operative (Hoffman) to funnel money and weapons to the Afghans in a top-secret op.

This is a brilliant story well worth telling, and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin provides some of the best political dialogue in ages. ("Why is Congress saying one thing and doing nothing?" "Well, tradition mostly.") The film drives home an important lesson as we all know that many of these same Afghans we helped save soon turned to the Taliban, and we know where that led. The film damns America's constant stance of abandoning those who it most needs to help. And it's beautifully acted. A-