Charlie Wilson's War
*Availability in US
- stream
- rent
- buy
- Release Date
- December 19, 2007
- Director
- Mike Nichols
- Cast
- Tom Hanks , Amy Adams , Julia Roberts , Philip Seymour Hoffman , Terry Bozeman , Brian Markinson
- Runtime
- 102
- Main Genre
- Biography
- Writers
- Aaron Sorkin , George Crile
- Tagline
- A stiff drink. A little mascara. A lot of nerve. Who said they couldn't bring down the Soviet empire. Based on a true story. You think we could make this up?
Summary
Charlie Wilson's War is the true story of how a playboy congressman, a renegade CIA agent and a beautiful Houston socialite joined forces to lead the largest and most successful covert operation in history. Their efforts contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, with consequences that reverberate throughout the world today. Oscar winners Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman team with Academy Award-winning director Mike Nichols and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin to bring George Crile's best-selling book to the screen. Charlie Wilson (Hanks) was a bachelor congressman from Texas who had a habit of showing up in hot tubs with strippers and cocaine. His "Good Time Charlie" exterior, however, masked an extraordinary mind, a deep sense of patriotism and a passion for the underdog, and in the early 1980s the underdog was Afghanistan -- which had just been brutally invaded by the Russians. Charlie's longtime friend and patron and sometime lover was Joanne Herring (Roberts), one of the wealthiest women in Texas and a virulent anti-communist. Believing the American response to the Russian invasion was anemic at best, she prods Charlie into doing more for the Mujahideen (Afghan freedom fighters). Charlie's partner in this uphill endeavor is CIA Agent Gust Avrakotos (Hoffman), a blue-collar operative in a company of Ivy League blue bloods. Together, the three of them -- Charlie, Joanne and Gust -- travel the world to form unlikely alliances among the Pakistanis, Israelis, Egyptians, arms dealers, law makers and a belly dancer. Their success was remarkable. Funding for covert operations against the Soviets went from $5 million to $1 billion annually. The Red Army retreated out of Afghanistan. When asked how a group of peasants was able to deliver such a decisive blow to the army of a superpower, Pakistani President Mohammad Zia ul-Haq responded simply, "Charlie did it."
latest
Best Julia Roberts Movies, Ranked
Julia Roberts is set to star in the upcoming Starz limited series Gaslit opposite Sean Penn. Here's a look at her best movies, ranked.
The Graduate Director Mike Nichols Passes Away at Age 83
Mike Nichols, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind The Graduate and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, succumbed to cardiac arrest on Wednesday night.
Philip Seymour Hoffman Passes Away at Age 46
The actor was found dead in his Manhattan apartment by a screenwriter this afternoon, from an apparent drug overdose.
The Fifth Estate Photo with Bendict Cumberbatch as WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange
Principal photography is under way on DreamWorks' WikiLeaks drama, set for release on November 15, 2013.
![Emily Blunt Talks Looper [Exclusive]](https://static1.moviewebimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/article/p5MMIVP4MHBjIZEtUkTf7ugaM24fud.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=520&h=360&dpr=1.5)
Emily Blunt Talks Looper [Exclusive]
The actress plays the single mother Sara in director Rian Johnson's time-bending thriller, hitting theaters nationwide September 28.
Aaron Sorkin to Adapt the Steve Jobs Biopic for Sony Pictures
The Oscar winning writer of The Social Network will adapted Walter Isaacson's best selling biography.
BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS: Will Battle: Los Angeles Be Able to Defend Its Spot at the Top of the Charts?
Or does Limitless, Paul and The Lincoln Lawyer stand a chance at taking down the reigning champ this weekend?
BOX OFFICE BEAT DOWN: Battle: Los Angeles Destroys the Box Office with $36 Million!
While Rango falls to second place and Red Riding Hood debuts at number three.
BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS: Will Battle: Los Angeles Attack the Box Office This Weekend?
Or do Red Riding Hood and Mars Needs Moms have a chance of taking the number one spot in their debut?
BOX OFFICE BEAT DOWN: Rango Takes $38 Million in Its Opening Weekend
The Adjustment Bureau and Beastly earn second and third place, respectively in their debuts.
BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS: Can Rango Ride Its Way to Top of the Charts This Weekend?
Or will Matt Damon and The Adjustment Bureau be able to control the box office with its debut?
BOX OFFICE BEAT DOWN: Gnomeo and Juliet Takes the Top Spot After Three Weeks on the Charts!
Hall Pass comes in second, while Drive Angry fails to find its audience.
BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS: Can Hall Pass Make the Grade This Weekend?
Or will Nicolas Cage's Drive Angry be able to zoom its way to the top of the box office charts?
BOX OFFICE BEAT DOWN: Unknown Takes the Top Spot with $21.7 Million
While I Am Number Four debuts at number two, and Gnomeo and Juliet holds steady at number three for a second week in a row.
BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS: Will I Am Number Four Invade the Top Spot This Weekend?
Or do Liam Neeson and Martin Lawrence stand a chance of debuting in the number one spot on the box office charts?
BOX OFFICE BEAT DOWN: Just Go for It Rules Valentine's Weekend
While Justin Bieber sings his way to number two and the Gnomes come in at number three.
BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS: Will Adam Sandler Score Another Hit with Just Go for It?
Or can Justin Bieber and Elton John's Gnomes sing their way to the top of the charts this weekend?
The Eagle Cast and Crew Interviews [Exclusive]
Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, and director Kevin Macdonald discuss their new historical adventure drama.
Gnomeo and Juliet Cast and Crew Interview Featurette [Exclusive]
Actors James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, director Kelly Asbury, and musical legend Elton John discuss the new CGI animated film based on the classic Shakespeare play.
BOX OFFICE BEAT DOWN: The Roommate Moves Into the Top Spot with $15.6 Million!
Sanctum dives into second place with only $9.2 million, while No Strings Attached falls to third.