Charlie Wilson’s War, a more historical and humorous approach, succeeds mostly when Philip Seymour Hoffman comes into view. Terrific in The Savages and Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, Hoffman’s original performance would be surprising in its sheer bravado if it weren’t for the fact that we’ve come to expect nothing less from him.
If only the rest of the cast, and the film itself, could have risen to Hoffman’s level.
Grade: B- (Hoffman: A)
Charlie Wilson’s War is currently available.