Episode 2

full
Published on:

12th Nov 2025

Charlie Wilson's War

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes dive into "Charlie Wilson’s War" (2007), the sharp, witty, and surprisingly accessible political drama written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by Mike Nichols.

Both Mike Butler and Mike Field really enjoy this film for its stellar performances across the board; especially from Philip Seymour Hoffman, who steals every scene he’s in. His portrayal of CIA operative Gust Avrakotos brings some of the best dialogue and energy in the film, including one of Field’s favorite movie scenes of the last 30 years.

The Mikes discuss how Sorkin’s script delivers complex political maneuvering and historical context with humor and clarity, never getting bogged down in heavy-handed messaging while still hinting at the long-term consequences of the events depicted. Smart, funny, and full of quotable lines, "Charlie Wilson’s War" stands as both an engaging character study and a reminder of how power, charm, and ego can shape history.

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0:00 - Introduction

3:48 - Film Facts

11:50 - Film Discussion

29:38 - Reviews

33:59 - Favorite Quotes

38:19 - Who Would You Recommend This To?

40:57 - Why Is This Forgotten?

42:53 - Plugs

#ForgottenCinema #CharlieWilsonsWar #TomHanks #PhilipSeymourHoffman #JuliaRoberts #MikeNichols #AaronSorkin #MoviePodcast #FilmDiscussion #UnderratedMovies #ClassicFilms

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About the Podcast

Forgotten Cinema
A podcast about forgotten films that deserve a second chance
Welcome to Forgotten Cinema! Each episode, Mike Field and Mike Butler highlight a film that for a variety of reasons was forgotten by audiences. Whether it be because a more popular movie was released at the same time or the movie simply didn’t catch on with an audience in the its initial run. We’ll discuss what we love about the movie or perhaps don’t love about it and decide whether the movie is worth a revisit.