Rich coincidences of movie timing happen. Take today. Two very different films about Afghanistan open.
Marc Forster’s much-awaited adaptation of “The Kite Runner” tells the story of Afghan life and tribal strife through the unraveling friendship of two boys separated first by a lie and then by the 1979 invasion of their country by the Soviet Union.
***1/2 RATING | Political Dramedy
Mike Nichols’ highly entertaining — and mildly uncomfortable — political dramedy “Charlie Wilson’s War” also deals with that war.
The first film attempts to reveal the souls of Afghans.
The second may be about freedom fighters confronting the Red Army, but it’s all American.
One reason is because “War” does the Hollywood thing of putting quasars Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts on the same screen for the first time.
A more significant reason is that this character-driven pleasure can’t help but celebrate Americans’ rogue tendencies and impulsive decency, our love of the rule of the law and our fondness for making an end-run around it.
There’s a reason we find U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson of Texas’ 2nd Congressional District in a hot tub in 1980 where wheeling, dealing and illicit imbibing are taking place.
While flirting and drinking, Wilson looks up to see Dan Rather on a TV screen, decked out in rebel garb, reporting from Afghanistan.
Politically deft writer Aaron Sorkin adapted George Crile’s 2003 investigative yarn about the efforts of Wilson and CIA operative Gust Avrakotos (Philip Seymour Hoffman) to fund and arm the mujahedeen.
A Denver Post review of Crile’s book observed: “It would be overstating the case to say this unlikely pair was solely responsible for the massive escalation of aid to the Afghan rebels.”
Let’s just say the movie overstates the case. It also makes us wonder: What is trenchant comedy if not overstatement and acute observation?
Nichols and his crew pursue Crile’s conceit full throttle. Roberts brings political and romantic frisson as deep- pocketbook Texas socialite Joanna Herring, Wilson’s sometime paramour and a full-time Cold Warrior.
Hanks brings understated smarts and a relaxed gusto to his role. Wilson is easy to like. He’s also tricky to peg.
An office visit by a Bible- thumping constituent and his daughter (Emily Brunt) provides a lesson in Wilson’s agile version of political two- stepping. He sure knows how to lead.
Being fond of the guy means traversing vast, ethically gray terrain.
The same goes for Hoffman’s CIA agent. Avrakotos is brilliant and no doubt lethal. Thanks to Hoffman’s gruff authenticity, he is also the most asocial protagonist you’re likely to be mesmerized by this season.
Local girl making very, very good is Amy Adams, who does a nice turn as Wilson’s assistant Bonnie Bach. In an office populated by shapely assistants (yes, they were referred to as Charlie’s Angels), she looks just as good in a skirt as her namesakes, but also proves to be a working moral compass.
When she accompanies Wilson to a crowded refugee camp in Pakistan, her expression is as much a study in personal-political transformation as that of her boss.
Which brings us back to that matter of weird timing.
If you’re curious about the lives of others, consider “The Kite Runner.”
If you want to see how those lives became catalysts for an engagement in a region that continues to define American ideals — both honorable and misguided — then this fleet film should do the trick.
“Charlie Wilson’s War”
R for strong language, nudity/sexual content and some drug use. 1 hour, 37 minutes. Directed by Mike Nichols. Written by Aaron Sorkin. From the book by George Crile. Photography by Stephen Goldblatt. Starring Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Ned Beatty, Emily Blunt, Om Puri. Opens today at area theaters.
