The Graduate (1967)

It was the late 60s and conformity was on the way out. Raging against 'the machine' was becoming very popular. Rebelling against parental expectations was at an all-time high. This movie is about all those things. Forget teen-angst, this movie is about 20-something angst.

Normally a movie where all the early main characters are totally self-absorbed and without redeeming values, is not a good movie. But Director Mike Nichols is a genius. he does not bring in the story's redeeming value character until late in the story. By then the fear and loathing are complete. The delightful doe-eyed character played by Katherine Ross is SO welcome by the time she is introduced, the movie is then worth finishing, and not a moment too soon.

This is an old movie and much has been said about it. All I want to add is that as hard as the first half of this movie is to watch, the payoff in the last few moments is worth it. Believe it or not, this a romance story. Boy get's girl, then boy gets girl's daughter. OH!

Dustin Hoffman appears in his first starring role here. Has he changed much? And who knew he was 14 years younger than Ross. Does not show up here on camera.

Watch this movie with someone very patient who also has a love for good movie making.

Charlie Wilson's War

Where were you for the 10 years between 1979 and 1989. Do you remember what was going on in the world? Do you remember Iran-Contra and Oliver North? Do you remember that the Soviet army invaded Afghanistan? Do you remember what the United States did about that invasion?

This movie will only answer the last question. It brings to light what was known in only a few small circles during that period of time. And, rather than a typical history lesson, this movie teaches without letting you know a lesson is going on. That is high craft indeed.

Director Mike Nichols who has been the brains behind such varied greats as The Graduate, Catch-22, Working Girl, and The Birdcage, brings what I believe is another classic story to cinema.

It helps that he had such a powerful cast. Tom Hanks is his usual brilliant self. Julia Roberts shows that she really can act. And Philip Seymour Hoffman shows us again what playing a role is supposed to look like.

What is this movie about? It's about how a hand full of people brought about the beginning of the downfall of the old Soviet Union. And a less likely bunch is hard to conceive. Fact truly is stranger than fiction.

Watch this movie with someone who "gets" how things happen despite themselves in DC.