That cause is the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, where Charlie is in a unique position to fund the Afghan resistance. Aiding him in this covert operation is a seasoned CIA operative (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and the sixth-richest woman in Texas, played by Julia Roberts. Roberts really sinks her teeth into the role, a platinum blonde grande dame whose sense of privilege and humanitarianism spurs Charlie to the fight.

Hoffman also shines as a portly Greek espionage expert named Gust. Charlie and Gust form an entertaining partnership. In their initial meeting, director Nichols shows his flair for comic timing in a well-crafted scene which plays like a parlor farce. The script, by Aaron Sorkin (The American President, TV’s West Wing), crackles with snappy dialogue. The movie plays as a history lesson disguised as a smart character study.

No one can doubt the United States succeeded in driving the Russians out of Afghanistan by arming the rebels, perhaps one of the last acts of the Cold War.

However, the movie makes clear that this limited strategy had some dire consequences, leading directly to our present political predicament. Charlie Wilson’s War ends on a cautionary note, but it is an entertaining journey.

By Robert Rossiello