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Created Nov 11, 2011 09:15AM PST • Edited Nov 11, 2011 09:15AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Really Great 4.5

   Tom Hanks shines as Charlie Wilson, a Texas congressman known more for his playboy lifestyle, than his impact on national politics. However Charlie Wilson also played a huge role in the defeat of the Soviet Occupation of Afghanistan, appropriating money and resources to help the locals fight the communist invaders.

   Although based on a wonderful true story, the film also speaks about politicians interests, reminding us that important issues in the world often go unnoticed, and that US foreign policy is questionable at times. The issues that are addressed by our government aren’t always the most important ones. Or as Charlie points out “…the people in my district don’t want anything. Just their guns and their churches,” while also identifying that he gets re-elected because of six large campaign donors.

   But the highlight of the film is the balance of quirky personalities, often resulting in laugh-out-loud moments, that work together to accomplish good.

   Interesting to note, especially since the film deals in some ways with cultural acceptance in the Middle East, is that the credits list most of the Muslim actors far after even insignificant actors who had no lines of dialogue. The limo driver, who has no real screen time, is listed ahead of the actors playing government officials, who appear in multiple scenes. In an industry that prides itself on billing order, especially as it relates to significance in the film, I found this very odd.

   Great film that is very entertaining and watchable.

4. Acting

   Great 4.0

5. Male Stars Really Great 4.5

   Tom Hanks is fantastic as the party-boy politician star.

   Philip Seymour Hoffman is even better as the CIA agent with a sharp wit, quirky personality, and anger issues.

6. Female Stars Great 4.0

   I’m not a big fan of Julia Roberts, but she provides a nice change of pace from her usual self in her role as the wealthy beauty queen orchestrating support of a little know country.

7. Female Costars Very Good 3.5

8. Male Costars Very Good 3.5

10. Film

    Really Great 4.5

11. Direction Really Great 4.5

    Crisp, clean, and entertaining, with just the right amount of dignity and horror given to the atrocities of war.

12. Play Great 4.0

13. Music Really Great 4.5

    One segment in particular had a fascinating blend of traditional sounding Afghan music, overlayed with European classical music. A great non-visual reminder of the different cultures who team together in war.

14. Visuals Really Great 4.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Sordid 2.8

17. Sex Erotic 3.0

    Nudity and lots of innuendos.

18. Violence Brutal 2.7

    Images of war and people who have been injured by war.

19. Rudeness Profane 2.6

    Lots of use of the big swear words.

21. Reality

    Natural 1.0

22. Circumstantial Natural 1.0

    Based on a true story. In the DVD bonus features, Charlie says that it really did happen as it appears in the movie.

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Natural 1.0