Charlie Wilson's War Review

This film has been the most talked about film for most of the year; early predictors labeling it unstoppable for a Best Picture nod. However, as the film was about to be released all the buzz faded away, really without much reason. I'm gonna say that this year had too many great films and it was no longer the standout everyone hoped it would be. Charlie Wilson's War may not be the best film of the year, but it certainly a great one that deserves your attention this season.
Charlie Wilson's War examines the covert war conducted by Charlie Wilson, a CIA agent and a rich Texan women to help the Afghan people who were being slaughtered by the Russians during the Cold War. This covert war eventually gave the Afghan people the weapons and means to defeat the Russians but ultimately is the reason they have so many weapons today. While it may seem strange to portray this message through comedy it indeed seems to work at a very deep level to help you understand what these people went through. The film is a comedy at heart, but it is filled with many deep, dramatic moments that actually feel more heart-breaking because of how much you begin to like the characters involved. They are fun, good-natured people; if they are feeling this pain then you should too.
Tom Hanks delivers one of his best performances in years as Charlie Wilson. His comedic timing is impeccable and he still manages to break your heart every once in awhile. If he were to be nominated for an Oscar I would neither be surprised or upset, I however believe that the competition is too stiff and it won't likely happen. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is the best in the film, he's never played a part like this one and he is absolutely hysterical. The film is significantly better just because of how well he portrays his character. He is all but assured an Oscar nomination for this role and he deserves it without a doubt. The only real negative of the film is Julia Roberts. Everything about her part seems forced and awkward and she never really became the part. It always seemed like someone acting rather than a character in the film. This is a shame because I believe Julia Roberts is a fine actress, but this part was one of her worst. If she gets nominated for an Oscar, they AMPAS should be ashamed of themselves.
Charlie Wilson's War deserves any accolades it gets, assuming it gets any. In a year with the competition so tight, I could easily see this film going by the waist-side or getting a ton of attention. Not many precursors have given the film much love, but it also was released quite late and may have had some poor luck as did Sweeney Todd and There Will Be Blood. This is why the Oscar nominations come out so late, so that most films have an equal shot. In the end, I hope the film gets at least some love as it is definitely in my top 10 films of the year and definitely should be seen by all. (SCORE: 9.5)