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# ‘Charlie Wilson’s War’
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/charlie-wilsons-war/
- Published: 2008-01-05T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T17:51:57.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

Tom Hanks stars and co-produces this dark comedy about a congressman who seizes control of the weapons funding for Afghanistan to resist the commie Russians during the 1980s. In the self-titled role, Hanks excels against type as a man content to play a fool in order to get his agenda enacted. Phillip Seymour-Hoffman is exceptional as a loose cannon CIA operative. The film lacks a cohesive flow or any real “character desires” but if the viewer rides along with the “Destroy Russia” anthem that is blared throughout the film, then “War” is fun for moviegoers of all ages. A witty script by Aaron Sorkin provides some nice-sized laughs and irony to a story that lacks big excitement. The film could have used some lengthening, weighing in at a paltry one-and-a-half hours. ‘I Am Legend’

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 5, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/010508.pdf?ref=smdp.com)