A stiff drink. A little mascara. A lot of nerve. Who said they couldn't bring down the Soviet empire.

Starring: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Ned Beatty, Om Puri, Ken Stott, John Slattery, Terry Bozeman, Jud Taylor Hilary Angelo, Cyia Batten, Kirby Mitchell, Emily Blunt,

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"You mean to tell me that the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan is to have the Afghans keep walking into machine gun fire 'til the Russians run out of bullets?" - Charlie Wilson

Why watch this? An all-star cast delivers a sharp-edged, intelligent film about how stuff gets done in Washington.

Plot Summary: In the 80's, Texas Congressman Charlie Wilson has a full plate. When not governing, he's making deals, usually involving sleazy characters, beautiful women, alcohol, and wealthy donors. Once such donor (and occasional love interest) is Houston socialite, Joanne Herring. Using her sway on Wilson, she wants the US to quietly intervene in the ongoing war between Russia and Afghanistan. She arranges a trip to that part of the world, where he meets with Pakistan's President, who rips the U.S. for not supporting their fight against Russia. They also visit a Pakistan-based Afghan refugee camp and it's not pretty. Charlie, with help from CIA Operative Gust Avrakotos, decides to find hidden Congressional money to aid the Afghan people.

Dad's Preview: This film, as effectively as any, pulls back the curtain on our nation's political machine - how it can be worthless, and how, every once in a while, it can do a little good in the world. Hanks breathes life into Wilson, a natural leader, hard-drinking playboy, and very good Representative, navigating the fast-paced shark tank that is our government. That stated, the most memorable character is Gust, masterfully portrayed by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman. He's grumpy, manipulative, rude - but you just can't take your eyes off him, and it's wonderful. The final kudo must go to a script and carves the screen like a rapier - it's quick, witty, and punches when it needs to. This excellent film is as educational as it is enjoyable. Will you like it? "We'll see". 

Relativity Media, Participant Productions, Playtone; Universal Pictures