You'll Start to See Lots of Previews for This Christmas Day Release. . . .

Charlie Wilson's War (2003)

By George Crile

A scan of the Grotto Literary Dept. Editor's own copy

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     On Christmas Day, Universal will release the Mike Nichols-directed, Aaron Sorkin-penned movie of this nonfiction page-turner, starring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts.  Unfortunately, I find Tom Hanks to be well on his way to the annoying category of super-actors (Hoffman, Pacino) rather than the cool, reliable, professional, watchable category (Denzel, Russell Crowe, Leonardo DiCaprio).  And Julia Roberts, while excellent in Erin Brokovich, is not on the Top 20 list of best actresses. [I can also only imagine that with that director, that writer, and those stars, the movie will undoubtedly cast America in a silly, negative light.] 

     Enough of the movie.  Read the book.  It's the crazy story of how an anonymous, insignificant Texas Congressman and a CIA agent orchestrated the funding of the wildly successful Cold War campaign of the mujahideen against the Soviets in Afghanistan.

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