“War” is based on the true story of an obscure Texas Congressman who was instrumental in driving the Soviets out of Afghanistan. Essentially, he conducted a secret war, using his connections to funnel funds and weapons to the freedom fighters without ever directly connecting the United States to the battle. It’s a fascinating story, actually.Tom Hanks is enjoyable as Charlie Wilson. The role is a high-energy character with a conscience, which plays to Hanks’ strengths. He’s at his best when he’s both doing and thinking at the same time. Hanks does a lot to make him both likeable and convincing, even when the script lets him down. I realize that Wilson is a real person, but you can’t smooth over his contradictions with a shrug. He’s a Texas Democrat courted by the Religious Right. He’s extremely well-versed in foreign policy, and he does cocaine in the Caymans. As presented in the movie, he’s written like a “Character Factory” improv performance, where the audience assigns the performers personality traits. Tom Hanks manages to sell it, but the script leaves some serious gaps in his psychic landscape. He’s this close to being a complex character, but instead it just seems haphazard.
