Before ISIS there Was...
...the Taliban and the roots of which were found in the intrigue surrounding Afghanistan, USSR, and the USA.
Enter Charlie Wilson, a smart American statesman portrayed very nicely by Tom Hanks in this subtle but cleverly-complex film. The events depicted in this film indirectly catalyzed the events leading up to 9/11 (it can be well-argued!).
Amy Adams and Philip Seymour Hoffman are also great in this. Even Julia Roberts (who effectively resurrected her career completely with this film) was good in this.
What is it about vignettes of 'charming diplomats' that makes for good 'fantasy storytelling'?
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CHARLIE: Children are being hurt by this Afghan-Soviet thing.
GUST: It's the chess match from hell.
CHARLIE: What we need is a human poster-child for Sunoco.
GUST: These fundamentalists seem to care less and less about oil.
CHARLIE: I'll call Joanne...a woman of means.
GUST: It's good to be American until you visit 'Arabia.'
CHARLIE: What if King Fahd was photographed in color as a baby?
GUST: Never underestimate the value of ex-CIA 'honesty'!
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😷