Charlie Wilson's War

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Charlie Wilson's War

R

Released Dec 21, 2007

1h 42m

Drama

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

204 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

In the 1980s U.S.Rep. Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks), Texas socialite Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts) and CIA agent Gust Avrakotos (Philip Seymour Hoffman) form an unlikely alliance to boost funding for Afghan freedom fighters in their war against invading Soviets. The trio's successful efforts to finance these covert operations contributes to the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.

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Critics Consensus

Charlie Wilson's War manages to entertain and inform audiences, thanks to its witty script and talented cast of power players.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Wilson? Enormously pleasurable company, since you ask. True, he's a lech, but such a gallant lech, plus he also gets irony.

Feb 2, 2018

Full Review

Peter Rainer

Christian Science Monitor

Hanks may at first seem like an unlikely choice to play a seasoned Texas playboy bachelor, but he's so ingratiating that he almost pulls it off.

Rated: B

Oct 18, 2008

Full Review

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Hanks' performance as Wilson is tone-perfect, capturing both the public-servant seriousness and playboy rakishness of his character. And he does it without breaking a sweat.

Oct 18, 2008

Full Review

Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

A crackling satire about how insanely far political palm-greasing could go just 20 years ago. But its chilling closing quote succinctly sums up just how ideology, infantry and a political disinterest would come back to haunt our nation.

Rated: 3.5/4

Nov 9, 2023

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

It’s a smart and sophisticated piece of political comedy for grown-ups with sharp performances and a delightful anti-hero who embraces his imperfections and scandalous behavior with a wink and smile.

Apr 8, 2023

Full Review

Stephen Silver

The National Interest

An all-time great director, Hollywood’s hottest screenwriter, and a pair of the world’s biggest movie stars teamed up to make a movie about diplomacy, politics, statecraft, and covert war, one that's funny throughout (15th anniversary, 19Fortyfive.com

Rated: 4/5

Dec 27, 2022

Full Review

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Audience Member

Really great movie. The cast is fantastic too. It's an easy add to any collection.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/04/25

Full Review

Jelisije J

The fact that this film is based on a true story absolutely shocked me in how incompetent the government is and yet I was entertained by the incompetence.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/03/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 42 minutes (due to the dramedy elements). Rated R for Some Drug Use, Nudity/Sexual Content and Strong Language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/02/25

Full Review

Faiz D

Better than I expected.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

Full Review

F P

Because the film is set in the 80s, I believe it will age well for all viewers to enjoy at any time. The cast is formed by all big-hitters who really deliver. You can really feel the style of Aaron Sorkin throughout the movie, and all scenes are pertinent and move the story forward. All in all, if you tie your viewing with the true story behind the movie, it's both entertaining and inquisitive. Best zen master story in a movie towards the end.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/10/25

Full Review

Dave C

Star-studded and well acted, but it lacks emotional depth and any sense of suspense or urgency. Otherwise entertaining

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/09/24

Full Review

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Mike Nichols

Director

Tom Hanks

Charlie Wilson

Julia Roberts

Joanne Herring

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Gust Avrakotos

Amy Adams

Bonnie Bach

Ned Beatty

Doc Long

Charlie Wilson's War: Official Clip - Afghanistan Refugee Camp

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Charlie Wilson's War: Official Clip - Anti-Helicopter Light Missile

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Charlie Wilson's War: Official Clip - The Day I Fell in Love with America

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Charlie Wilson's War: Official Clip - A Toast for the Vanquished

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Charlie Wilson's War: Official Clip - Belly Dancer Diplomacy

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Charlie Wilson's War: Official Clip - Bugging the Scotch

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Charlie Wilson's War: Official Clip - The Nerdy Kid in the White Shirt

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Charlie Wilson's War: Official Clip - Another Broken Window

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Charlie Wilson's War: Official Clip - The Sexiest Woman Ever

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Synopsis

In the 1980s U.S.Rep. Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks), Texas socialite Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts) and CIA agent Gust Avrakotos (Philip Seymour Hoffman) form an unlikely alliance to boost funding for Afghan freedom fighters in their war against invading Soviets. The trio's successful efforts to finance these covert operations contributes to the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.

Director: Mike Nichols
Producer: Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman
Screenwriter: Aaron Sorkin
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Playtone Productions
Rating: R (Some Drug Use|Nudity/Sexual Content|Strong Language)
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 21, 2007, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 26, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $66.6M
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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