Lisa and I just got back from watching Charlie Wilson’s War. For those of you who might not know, it is about the US’s involvement in the Afghan fight against the Soviets (wow, how many people reading this might not have been alive when there was a Soviet Union?). I don’t want to spoil too much, but I highly recommend it. One of the best movies I’ve seen in the past year. It is both funny and very thought provoking. The interaction between Hanks and Seymour Hoffman is outstanding. I think Seymour Hoffman has to be one of the best actors out there. And Roberts does a fine job too.

The main plot is how the US got heavily involved in that fight and how Wilson got money and weapons to the Afghans. But, I think the bigger point of the story is how we had great intentions, but how the results have come back to haunt us. At the end of the film, there is a quote from the real Charlie Wilson about how we did a great job but then didn’t finish the job (he is a bit more direct about how he says this). And, while it isn’t directly stated, it is definitely implied that our lack of follow up is at least one major contributor to our current situation in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the rise of Islamic extremism. And, that this is a common occurrence in US foreign involvement.

(As an aside, I was never in favor of the Iraq war. But, I also don’t see how we can now cut and run. We will have a much bigger problem in the future if we don’t find some way to create a stable Iraq that is on relatively decent terms with us. And, I think, this is part of the lesson of Charlie Wilson’s War.)

I don’t know quite how historically accurate the facts are, and there are criticisms of some things (see the Wikipedia link at the top). But, I don’t really think it matters. To me, the movie wasn’t about the details of what Wilson or Avrakotos or Herring did. Rather, it is about two things: the personalities of these characters and the bigger picture of the US involvement in the Afghan fight.

I don’t understand how this movie was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Commedy. Sure, there are funny scenes, but I think they serve to lighten the mode, to make the message of the film easier to swallow. You start off thinking this is some fun romp in the life of a congressman. It is only later that you realize the implications of what he has done for the future security of the US and the World.

I think my favorite aspect of the movie was Seymour Hoffman’s acting. I’m naturally drawn to characters that are cynical and cranky (Red was my favorite on That 70’s Show), so maybe this is no surprise. But, I think he did an outstanding job.

Go see this movie. It makes you think about how events and actions, especially those involving superpowers, can’t be viewed in isolation. They all have consequence, intended or otherwise, and the present can only be understood in the context of the past.