Charlie Wilson’s War (2007)
Biography, Comedy, Drama |
Charlie Wilson’s War is a American biographical comedy-drama film, based on the story of U.S. Congressman Charlie Wilson and CIA operative Gust Avrakotos, whose efforts led to Operation Cyclone, a program to organize and support the Afghan mujahideen during the Soviet–Afghan War.
The film was directed by Mike Nichols (his final film) and written by Aaron Sorkin, who adapted George Crile III’s 2003 book Charlie Wilson’s War: The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History. Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, and Philip Seymour Hoffman starred, with Amy Adams and Ned Beatty in supporting roles. It was nominated for five Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, but did not win in any category. Hoffman was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
In 1980, Congressman Charlie Wilson is more interested in partying than legislating, frequently throwing huge galas and staffing his congressional office with young, attractive women. His social life eventually brings about a federal investigation into allegations of his cocaine use, conducted by federal prosecutor Rudy Giuliani as part of a larger investigation into congressional misconduct. The investigation results in no charge against Wilson.
A friend and romantic interest, Joanne Herring, encourages Charlie to do more to help the Afghan people, and persuades him to visit the Pakistani leadership. The Pakistanis complain about the inadequate support of the U.S. to oppose the Soviet Union, and they insist that Wilson visit a major Pakistan-based Afghan refugee camp.
Director: Mike Nichols
Writers: Aaron Sorkin (screenplay), George Crile (book)
Stars: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Ned Beatty, Emily Blunt, Om Puri
Cast:
Tom Hanks | … | Charlie Wilson |
Amy Adams | … | Bonnie Bach |
Julia Roberts | … | Joanne Herring |
Philip Seymour Hoffman | … | Gust Avrakotos |
Terry Bozeman | … | CIA Award Presenter |
Brian Markinson | … | Paul Brown |
Jud Tylor | … | Crystal Lee |
Hilary Angelo | … | Kelly |
Cyia Batten | … | Stacey |
Kirby Mitchell | … | Stoned Guy |
Ed Regine | … | Limo Driver |
Daniel Eric Gold | … | Donnelly |
Emily Blunt | … | Jane Liddle |
Peter Gerety | … | Larry Liddle |
Wynn Everett | … | Receptionist – Charlie’s Angels |
Mary-Bonner Baker | … | Marla – Charlie’s Angels (as Mary Bonner Baker) |
Rachel Nichols | … | Suzanne – Charlie’s Angels |
Shiri Appleby | … | Jailbait – Charlie’s Angels |
P.J. Byrne | … | Jim Van Wagenen |
John Slattery | … | Cravely |
Thomas Crawford | … | Maintenance Man |
Joe Roland | … | McGaffin |
Patrika Darbo | … | Auctioneer |
Carly Reeves | … | Slave Girl |
Salaheddine Ben Chegra | … | Pakistani Steward (as Salaheddine Benchegra) |
Om Puri | … | President Zia |
Faran Tahir | … | Brigadier Rashid |
Rizwan Manji | … | Colonel Mahmood |
Maurice Sherbanee | … | Refugee In Wheelchair (as Maurice Sherbanée) |
Salam Sangi | … | Refugee Building Wall |
Navid Negahban | … | Refugee Camp Translator |
Mozhan Marnò | … | Refugee Camp Translator #2 (as Mozhan Marno) |
Michael Saba | … | Afghan Boy (as Habib Saba) |
Nadia Miller | … | Afghan Girl |
Michelle Arthur | … | Refugee Camp Nurse |
Shila Ommi | … | Refugee Mother (as Shila Vossugh Ommi) |
Edward Hunt | … | Embassy Marine |
Michael Haley | … | Embassy Official (as R.M. Haley) |
Denis O’Hare | … | Harold Holt |
Michael Spellman | … | Agent Patrick |
Russell Edge | … | Agent Wells |
Christopher Denham | … | Mike Vickers |
Joseph Sikora | … | Chess Player (as Joe Sikora) |
Gabriel Tigerman | … | Chess Player |
Patrick Bentley | … | Chess Player |
Marc Pelina | … | Chess Player |
Ken Stott | … | Zvi |
Tracy Phillips | … | Bellydancer |
Aharon Ipalé | … | Egyptian Defense Minister (as Ipalé) |
Ned Beatty | … | Doc Long |
Mary Bailey | … | Doc Long’s Secretary |
Trish Gallaher Glenn | … | Joanne’s Assistant |
Ron Fassler | … | Mario |
Enayat Delawary | … | Doc Long’s Translator |
Nancy Linehan Charles | … | Mrs. Long |
Khalili Dastan | … | Mujahideen Translator (as Daston Kalili) |
Pasha D. Lychnikoff | … | Russian Helicopter Pilot (as Pasha Lychnikoff) |
Ilia Volok | … | Russian Helicopter Pilot |
Alex Lvovsky | … | Russian Helicopter Pilot (as Alexander Lvovsky) |
Sammy Sheik | … | Stinger Mujahideen |
Moneer Yaqubi | … | Stinger Mujahideen |
Gabriel Justice | … | Stinger Mujahideen |
Siyal Mohammad | … | Stinger Presenter (as Siyal Mohamad) |
Quill Roberts | … | Stinger Presenter |
Jim Jansen | … | Congressional Committee |
Harry S. Murphy | … | Congressional Committee |
Spencer Garrett | … | Congressional Committee |
Kevin Cooney | … | Congressional Committee |
Don Abernathy | … | Man in Park Eating Hotdog (uncredited) |
Susan Jasmin Armon | … | Afghan Girl (uncredited) |
Erick Avari | … | Ari Goldman (uncredited) |
Yousuf Azami | … | Work Relief Guy (uncredited) |
Anthony Azizi | … | Orderly (uncredited) |
Tiffany L. Baker | … | Oil Tycoon’s Wife (uncredited) |
Cathy Beasley | … | Secretary (uncredited) |
Nazanin Boniadi | … | Afghan Refugee Woman (uncredited) |
Lara Flynn Boyle | … | Charlie’s Advisor (uncredited) |
Celestina | … | Dancer (uncredited) |
Darren Dowler | … | Congressman (uncredited) |
Johnny Drocco | … | Dapper Dan at Party (uncredited) |
François Duhamel | … | French Photographer (uncredited) |
John R. Duncan | … | CIA Agent (uncredited) |
David M. Edelstien | … | Hotel Manager (uncredited) |
Paul Haasch | … | Fraternity Slave Driver (uncredited) |
Brooks Hall | … | Charlie’s Party Guest (uncredited) |
Jody Jaress | … | VIP Party Guest (uncredited) |
Alexander Kanellakos | … | Texas Millionaire (uncredited) |
Igor Korosec | … | USSR Gunner 2 (uncredited) |
Richard Lawrence | … | Senators Aide (uncredited) |
Daniel Lench | … | Party Goer #1 (uncredited) |
Tucker Maloney | … | CIA Operative (uncredited) |
J. Patrick McCormack | … | Senator (uncredited) |
Ambria Miscia | … | Vegas Showgirl (uncredited) |
Kazu Nagahama | … | Japanese Tourist (uncredited) |
Mara New | … | Extra (uncredited) |
David E. Newham | … | DC Cop (uncredited) |
Dennis Lee Nowicki | … | Congressman (uncredited) |
Tom Ohmer | … | Party Guest (uncredited) |
Ali Olomi | … | Injured Mujahadeen Soldier (uncredited) |
Ron Ostrow | … | Congressional Committee #5 (uncredited) |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia