Charlie Wilson’s War, released in theaters on Dec. 21, 2007, is based on the story of U.S. Congressman Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks) and CIA operative Gust Avrakotos (Philip Seymour Hoffman), whose efforts led to Operation Cyclone.
Set in the 1980s, the film follows the unlikely true story of Wilson, a hard-partying, “Good Time Charlie” Texas congressman with a seat on the Defense Appropriations subcommittee.
While his personal life is a whirlwind of hot tubs and scotch, his political life takes a sharp turn toward international intrigue thanks to his friend and occasional lover, Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts), a wealthy, fiercely anti-communist socialite from Houston.
Herring convinces Wilson to visit Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan, igniting his desire to help the Mujahideen rebels fighting the brutal Soviet occupation.
To do this, Wilson finds an unexpected partner in Avrakotos, a foul-mouthed, blue-collar CIA operative who has been sidelined by the agency’s upper-class bureaucracy.
Supported by Wilson’s loyal and sharp administrative assistant, Bonnie Bach (Amy Adams), the duo orchestrates a massive, covert funding operation.
They navigate the egos of influential figures like Congressman Doc Long (Ned Beatty) and even cross paths with a young Texas socialite named Jane Liddle (Emily Blunt).
Through back-room deals and international alliances, they successfully funnel millions—then billions—into the hands of the rebels, providing the Stinger missiles that would eventually turn the tide against the Soviet Union.
John Slattery, Jud Tylor, and Shiri Appleby round out the cast.
Directed by the legendary Mike Nichols and featuring a fast-paced screenplay by Aaron Sorkin, Charlie Wilson’s War stands as a masterclass in political storytelling.
It served as Nichols’ final film, providing a fittingly cynical yet humanistic capstone to his extraordinary career.
Tom Hanks and Emily Blunt in Charlie Wilson’s War (Photo/Universal Pictures)
Reception for Charlie Wilson’s War
Charlie Wilson’s War grossed $9.7 million on its opening weekend, finishing fourth at the box office.
The film would gross $199.5 million worldwide.
Roger Ebert gave Charlie Wilson’s War three out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
Charlie Wilson’s War’s legacy is perhaps most defined by the performance of Hoffman.
His Oscar-nominated turn as Avrakotos is a career highlight, perfectly capturing Sorkin’s staccato, rhythmic dialogue with a weary, sharp-edged intelligence.
The chemistry between Hoffman and Hanks provides the film’s engine, turning dry budgetary discussions into high-stakes drama.
The film is remembered for its sobering “post-script” legacy. While it celebrates a rare moment of American bipartisan effectiveness, it ends with a haunting reflection on the consequences of “winning” without planning for the peace.
By highlighting the U.S. government’s refusal to fund Afghan schools after the war ended, the film provides a provocative, clear-eyed look at the origins of modern global instability. It remains a definitive, darkly funny exploration of how the “family business” of Washington really works.
