Universal moves release of 'Charlie Wilson's War' up to December 21

Universal Pictures has changed the release date of "Charlie Wilson's War" from Christmas Day to Dec. 21, according to a press release.

"We saw an opportunity to advance the release of this film and are taking advantage of that," stated Adam Fogelso, Universal Pictures' president of marketing and distribution. "We've seen how strongly 'Charlie Wilson's War' plays and can't wait to get it in front of audiences everywhere. We are confident that their enthusiastic word-of-mouth will be one of the things that helps us continue playing strongly through this terrific movie-going period."

The film stars Tom Hanks as Charlie Wilson, a former East Texas congressman who resides in Lufkin. It is about how Wilson, while living the life of a playboy, used unconventional methods to pull off the most successful covert operation in U.S. history by helping Afghanistan drive the Soviets out of their country. It is based on a book by the same title written by George Crile.

"Charlie Wilson's War" has received mixed reviews in the early going, most agreeing that the acting is great but too much of the story was edited out of the film. Philip Seymour Hoffman has received rave reviews in his role as Gust Avrakotos.

The Golden Globe Awards have classified "War" as a comedy.

It is not yet rated and runs 96 minutes.