Charlie Wilson's War is a 2007 film directed by Mike Nichols. It is a dramatic comedy based on real events concerning the United States' involvement in the war in Afghanistan during the 1980s. 

Plot

The film follows the story of Charlie Wilson (played by Tom Hanks), a member of the United States Congress known for his eccentric lifestyle and his interest in international affairs. One day, Wilson is contacted by Joanne Herring (played by Julia Roberts), a wealthy and influential Texan woman, who convinces him to support the cause of Afghans fighting against Soviet occupation in Afghanistan.

Charlie Wilson, along with his friend Gust Avrakotos (played by Philip Seymour Hoffman), a CIA agent, embarks on a campaign to secure secret congressional funding for the training and equipping of Afghan insurgents, known as the mujahideen. This covert operation becomes a significant contributor to the downfall of the Soviet Union.

The film explores the challenges and political complications behind this operation, showing how Wilson, Herring, and Avrakotos worked together to achieve their goals. However, the film also raises ethical questions about the long-term consequences of their involvement in aiding the Afghans.

Complete Cast:

• Tom Hanks as Congressman Charlie Wilson
• Julia Roberts as Joanne Herring
• Philip Seymour Hoffman as Gust Avrakotos
• Amy Adams as Bonnie Bach
• Ned Beatty as Doc Long
• Om Puri as President Zia-ul-Haq of Pakistan
• Emily Blunt as Jane Liddle
• Michael Spellman as Michael G. Vickers
• John Slattery as Cravely
• Denis O'Hare as Harold Holt

Director: Mike Nichols

Producer: Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman

Writer: Aaron Sorkin (based on the book "Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History" by George Crile)

Music by: James Newton Howard

Cinematographer: Stephen Goldblatt

Production Cost: Approximately $75 million.

Box Office: Approximately $119 million worldwide at the box office.

Awards: Philip Seymour Hoffman was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, and the film received several other nominations at the Golden Globes and other film awards.

Critics' Reception: "Charlie Wilson's War" received generally positive reviews, with particular praise for Aaron Sorkin's screenplay and the performances of the cast, especially that of Philip Seymour Hoffman. 

My opinion. It may be based on a true story, but I hope the true story did not take place with a U.S. congressman surrounded by four bunnies, a rich Texan sex addict, and a president who is practically stoned.

The war scenes in Afghanistan are poor as visuals and the whole story of the film does not hold up.

The main actors are good, but the film is boring and dull.