Ranking Aaron Sorkin Films From Worst To Best

The story of a Texas congressman who secretly armed the mujahideen against the occupying Soviet forces within Afghanistan has some interesting observations on the economic and ethical questions surrounding those that finance wars. Sorkin takes a critical eye, as he often does, of all sides and attempts to reach a grounded view amidst his fantastical dialogue and fast moving narrative.

Tom Hanks is suitably charming, if a little dull, as Charlie Wilson and Julia Roberts is fine as the film's female lead. It is Philip Seymour Hoffman that is the major standout here however, upstaging even Sorkin's script, with an Oscar nominated performance as CIA agent Gus Avrakotos. Hoffman is full of energy and brings the major excitement to the film with a boisterous and bombastic energy as his burning frustration boils through every scene he's in.

Hoffman is underutilised in the film and Sorkin would have been better off inserting him into as many scenes as he could. Gus stands as one of Sorkin's most electrifying characters and Hoffman more than does him justice.