Login
''A boy is given a horse on his 14th birthday. Everyone in the village says, 'Oh how wonderful.' But a Zen master who lives in the village says, 'We shall see.' The boy falls off the horse and breaks his foot. Everyone in the village says, 'Oh how awful.' The Zen master says, 'We shall see.' The village is thrown into war and all the young men have to go to war. But, because of the broken foot, the boy stays behind. Everyone says, 'Oh, how wonderful.' The Zen master says, 'We shall see.' ''
A drama based on a true story of Texas congressman Charlie Wilson's covert dealings in Afghanistan, where his efforts to assist rebels in their war with the Soviets have some unforeseen and long-reaching effects.
Tom Hanks as Charlie Wilson the woman loving, scotch drinking congressman. Tom Hanks infuses his character with life and fortitude.
Philip Seymour Hoffman as Gust Avrakotos the CIA man, as soon as he first appears in the film he boosts the acting and interest in the movie with his sheer ferocity and anger. Class acting from Hoffman as usual.
Julia Roberts as Joanne Herring had a limited screen-time but added some diversity and richness when in her few scenes.
The story was interesting and the politics flawless. The afghan's given RPG's to shoot down Communist civilian killing Choppers.
The emotional part for me was the camps and injuries of civilians in Afghan, and when Charlie visits, it opens his eyes to the suffering of a nation.
Some interesting points made. Although the ending was abit sudden, the shooting of the helicopters down while the Russians talk about relationships was too long and the audience's attention dwindles. These true stories seem to be churned out at a considerable rate these days.
A formidable tale to be told with depth, politics, tongue in cheek humour but slightly ultralistic in its American glorifying slightly right-wing propaganda.
A film to watch about one man's fight for justice and the crushing of human suffering.
Pending full review...
8/10
