A Man’s War

Based on the true story of how Charlie Wilson, an alcoholic womanizer and Texas congressman, persuaded the CIA to train and arm resistance fighters in Afghanistan to fend off the Soviet Union in the 1980s, Mike Nichols’ Charlie Wilson’s War will shine in theaters on Dec. 25 on star power alone.

The main cast members have four Oscars among them, and two of the supporting roles are filled by up-and-coming actresses who either have been nominated or have managed to steal scenes from some of their most established peers.

Tom Hanks stars as Wilson, while Philip Seymour Hoffman and Julia Roberts appear as a semi-rogue CIA spook and a Houston socialite who aided the congressman in supplying the expertise, money, and training that turned the ill-equipped Afghan freedom-fighters into a force that halted the Red Army – and also empowered the Taliban and terrorists such as Osama bin Laden.

Amy Adams (Junebug) and Emily Blunt are also featured in the film, written by Aaron Sorkin.

Photo: Universal Pictures.