A fascinating mix of history, politics, sex and war makes Charlie Wilson’s War is a film which focuses on an intriguing part of American history.

Tom Hanks as Charlie Wilson, a Democratic Texas Congressman and member of the Subcommittee on Defense, who also happens to be a womanizing boozer and occasional drug user.

After being clued in on the plight of Afghani’s under attack by Soviet troops, Charlie uses his smooth political prowess and vast connections to raise the CIA budget for covert operations in Afghanistan from $5 million to half a billion dollars, assuring the Afghani’s victory over the Soviet’s.

Lending a hand were influential, southern, anti-Communist conservative Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts), and no nonsense CIA Agent Gust Avrokotos (Philip Seymour Hoffman).

The lack of post war funds for Afghanistan would send the country into a downward spiral of religious extremism and anti-American sentiment, and lead to a chain of events that will change our world. This makes the film extremely poignant for our times, with 9/11 and the current U.S. lead wars in Afghanistan and (especially) Iraq always in the back of the viewers mind, especially with the lack of an exit strategy in the latter.               

Aaron Sorkin has written an acute, hilarious, and informative screenplay which is rich with character, and is perfect fodder for director Mike Nichols, who has a knack for meshing comedy and drama.

Nichols also brings out the best of an extremely talented cast. Tom Hanks returns to his charming best after a series of misfires (The Terminal & The Da Vinci Code among them”), with his portrayal of Wilson as a slick politician with a conscience fun to watch. Julia Roberts is also very good, the popular actress coming off rather well in the most flamboyant character role of her career.

However, both actors are blown out of the water by a bombastic Philip Seymour Hoffman, who from his opening scene where he tells his boss to shove it (in an inspirational and grandiose manner), takes command of the film in a thrilling performance sure to land him plenty of accolades.