Unfortunately I read the book. This movie does not even qualify as the Reader's Digest version of the book. If you took the first two sentences of each chapter that is about as much as is brought to life. Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts are both interesting choices for their roles, but both were probably over cast. Someone a little more smarmy would have been better as Charlie Wilson and America's darling was probably not a great choice for a power hungry woman who sleeps with anyone who can help her get her way.The movie spends a lot of time on the salacious stuff and not much time on the what Charlie Wilson really had to do to single handedly fund the war against the Soviets in Afghanistan. Also, the ending is a Hollywood lie. Since we all the know how it turns out, I won't ruin it when I say, no one really knew "we f---ed up the end game" until much later. The movie give Wilson too much credit.
So what works? Phillip Seymour Hoffman. As the Greek, outcast, street smart CIA agent caught in a world of preppy Bush, Sr. agents he carries this film. He has the best lines and strangely is the only really likable character in the movie.
In short, read the book. The story was so made for Hollywood they dropped the ball.
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1 comment:
I think Mr. Smith is too harsh in his review of this movie. I did not read the book and thought the movie was well told, moved along and did not miscast with Tom Hanks & Julia Roberts. I thought both did a fine job with the roles and advancing the story. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is always fantastic, so no surprise there. I was surprised when the movie ended because it did not feel as 90 + minutes had just passed. The true hallmark of a movie worth watching.
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