MEREDITH BORDERS: A comedy with a serious lesson

Charlie Wilson's War, directed by Mike Nichols and written by Aaron Sorkin, doesn't necessarily seem like the type of film to get greenlit in Hollywood these days. It's a sophisticated satire highlighting the triumphs and inadequacies of the United States government; it's also an accurate history of Congressman Wilson's operation to aid the Mujahideen during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan during the Cold War. In other words, not exactly geared to engross the popcorn-scarfing public whose attention span is particularly short during the holiday season. (Christmas With the Kranks, anyone?)

But the film's peppered with crackerjack dialogue, nimble yet seamless pacing and outstanding performances by the principles. Tom Hanks plays the charmingly debauched East Texas Congressman, first introduced to the audience sipping scotch in a steaming hot tub filled with topless women. When two of the lovely ladies inquire as to his occupation, he raises a scoundrel's eyebrow while sinking further into the water: "I'm a member of the United States House of Representatives."

The real magic happens, however, when the incomparable and chameleonesque Philip Seymour Hoffman enters the film. His characterization of the blustering and cantankerous CIA operative Gust Avrakotos plays magically against Hanks' blithe Wilson. Hoffman just chomps every scene he's in, leaving little bits of scenery in his comically oversized mustache. Go ahead and give him that second Oscar — he's as convincing and captivating here as he ever was as Capote, and two more dissimilar portrayals are hard to imagine. If Julia Roberts seems a little lost here, despite her graceful and alluring depiction of Houston socialite Joanne Herring, who can blame her? She's playing against two of the best actors of our generation, playing two of the most likeable characters in any film this year.

The real achievement of the film is the entertaining and often uproarious disclosure of information. This is dense history, folks, and screenwriter Sorkin deftly milks laughs from the audience while navigating the complex political quagmire of the Cold War. Nichols intersperses stock footage of actual historical events throughout the film with lively montages of "Good Time Charlie's" philandering. The film is rife with Nichols' slyly adroit transitions, recognizable from his work on The Graduate. Billowing smoke from a helicopter explosion subtly morphs into heels clicking down a long white hallway to gorgeous effect.

Charlie Wilson's War is a fun and rollicking romp, but it doesn't transcend the typical comedy until Wilson makes his first trip to the refugee camps. As he gazes at the thousands of destitute and wounded rebels fighting America's fight against Communism, we can see a steely transformation cross his face. Charlie Wilson is no longer going to be just a Congressional playboy, and Charlie Wilson's War is no longer going to be just an entertaining diversion. After the tremendous progress Wilson makes in Afghanistan, he realizes too late that helping the Mujahideen triumph over the Soviet Union is not enough. As Wilson says with heartbreaking resignation, "We go in there with our ideals and change the world. And then we leave. But that ball keeps on bouncing."

Meredith Borders is a freelance writer based in Houston.

She's the daughter of Lufkin Daily News publisher Gary Borders.