Charlie Wilson's War (2007 Mike Nichols)

Interesting true story, based on journalist George Crile's 2003 book, written by Aaron Sorkin and thus quite talky and non-cinematic, features a lot of characters. Not as much fun as Primary Colors (Elaine May). Opening seems lumpy and expository, gets better as it goes along, particularly where Philip Seymour Hoffman gets involved. Does at least send a clear message about how the US fucked up.

Great cast with PSH: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, John Slattery, Om Puri, Ned Beatty, Dennis O'Hare, Ken Stott.

Loved that 'Charlie's Angels' Wynn Everett, Mary Bonner-Baker, Rachel Nichols, Shiri Appleby are super-efficient and intelligent and not just the eye candy you think at the outset.

Rich photography from Stephen Goldblatt. Edited by John Bloom (Travels with My Aunt, Gandhi, Black Widow, A Foreign Field. Angels in America) and Antonia Van Drimmelen (who did Notes on a Scandal and Angels with him). Mike's regular editor Sam O'Steen died in 2000.