Charlie Wilson's War

In 1980 the Soviet Union was advancing its borders and influence, and one place this was happening was Afghanistan. The Afghans were trying to fight back, but they were getting mowed down (a rifle versus an attack helicopter). Some people were noticing, but not many. One such person was Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts). Herring was a wealthy Texan who had a great deal of influence upon politics. So she started talking to her people, namely Representative Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks). Wilson is an interesting character. He likes women a lot, he likes to booze, and he likes.... well those are his big two interests in life. Be forewarned. Yet he is a congressman who does not have a lot on his plate. So he has time for many issues that others don't. One such issue is funding for covert operations. He starts to increase the funding for covert ops in Afghanistan, and teams up with Gust Avrakotos (Philip Seymour Hoffman). This small team takes on the giant, the USSR.

Although this all happened 20-25 years ago, this is such a relevant film to today. Basically, we saw an enemy (communism) and did whatever we could to stop that enemy. We helped the little guy out. But in the end, we left a small problem that was a sleeping giant. We help people, other nations, fight wars, etc. but we always leave. We are not concerned about reconstruction, about building up what is to replace it. The government eventually increases the budget for covert ops in Afghanistan to $1 Billion but won't give $1 Million to build schools after the war has been won. Basically, we had a chance to help out in a big way but screwed it all up, which led to much of the "war on terror" now. Also, the idea of winning a war and opting out of reconstruction sounds a lot like evangelism. One problem we Christians have sometimes is that we convert people, and then think that's it, that they will find their way, that we don't need to disciple. All we need is for them to "say the magic prayer."

One scene stuck out to me above all the others. A southern white man goes to the refugee camp in Pakistan to see the devestation. He gets on a loud speaker and starts telling everyone that the US government is going to help this war. Then he gets into the good versus evil rhetoric, which is where this all gets dangerous. All the people are shouting "Allahu Akbar (God is Great)!" And he yells "God is Great!" with them. It's disturbing not only because Allah and YHWH are two different Gods, but also because they are claiming God is choosing sides. There is a part in Joshua in which Joshua asks an angel whose side he is on (thinking the angel has to be on his side, they are God's chosen people right?) and he says "neither" [Check out the article on Rob Bell in the new Relevant Magazine, highly recommended]. Wait, God cares about the "bad guys" too? God loves commies? God loves fundamentalist Muslims? We need to be very careful that we don't use God for our own purposes, or let others do it on our behalf. It is a very scary thing. Gust even says something to the effect of: "soon God will be on both sides, then what?"

The visit to the refugee camp was also a wake-up call for Wilson. He was doing some important things in his life, but mostly he was just about fast living hedonism. But then he saw the suffering of others and felt a call to action. He started to value his time and energy more; he suddenly had purpose. We have to have purpose.

Charlie Wilson's War was not only politically engaging (whatelse do you expect from a screenplay by The West Wing's Aaron Sorkin?), but it was hilarious. Hoffman was awesome, just a flat-out joy to watch. I was reminded why he is my favorite actor. I was originally suprised to see this film in the Comedy category of the Golden Globes, but now I see why. Yet the film is still honest and thought-provoking. It's a difficult task to be an entertaining/funny/interesting/intellectual/enlightening film, but Mike Nichol's (The Graduate) Charlie Wilson's War succeeds.