"Charlie Wilson's War" ***1/2 (out of four): Mike Nichols' cheeky film about the Texas Congressman who helped fund the Afghan army tells one side of an important story. And it tells it well, thanks to an A-list cast and Aaron Sorkin's typically zingy script.

"Charlie Wilson's War" belongs to another time. For one thing, it takes place in the 1980s when, at the behest of one Texan congressman (if you believe Mike Nichols' cheeky film) the U.S. covertly supplied arms to Afghan's Mujahideen in order to fight the invading Soviets. For those of you keeping score, many of these "freedom fighters" went on to become Al Qaeda. But hey, in the 80s even Rambo fought with them. "Wilson" also belongs to a time when Hollywood was making conscious political satire. More and more, it seems, that time coming back. But is anyone listening? Mr. Nichols' film is so much fun (Politics? Fun?! Nah.), that I sincerely hope so.

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