Seen last night: Charlie Wilson’s War directed by Mike Nichols and starring Tom Hanks, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Julia Roberts.

Based on a book by George Crile, this tells the based-on-a-true story of Congressman Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks) and his successful campaign – along with help and inspiration from Texas matron Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts) and CIA operative Gust Avrakotos (Philip Seymour Hoffman) – to fund Afghanis who are resisting the Soviet invasion of the early 1980s. The movie successfully uses a lighthearted touch when addressing its main characters’ flaws (and there are many, especially with Wilson) and a more heavy one with its serious subject matter, making this political story into a very interesting, thought-provoking, yet humorous film. The actors play their parts to a T, and there are many fine supporting roles including one by Amy Adams as Wilson’s chief administrative assistant.