mike nichols in fine form . i be not a fan of closer and so it refresh to see him again right back on top with this comedy set in the darkest of circumstance . just one slip in tone could have wreck this compelling picture but nichols and his very strong a list cast never put a foot wrong in this biopic of a deeply flaw but utterly compelling congressman . philip seymour hoffman a usual be scintillate and brilliant here play a damage but ultra smart cia manipulator and and it be in the exchange between hank and hoffman character where the comedy soar . rarely be movie humour laugh out loud and also smart . this hit the spot time after time with a bite satirical edge that make you both laugh and weep at the state of the world ( often simultaneously ) . one other major plus be the length of the picture . the film be base on george crile fat book of the same title . the temptation for screenwriter aaron sorkin ( his claim to fame be the west wing ) must have be to make a fat movie and but what we get be a breath take 90 odd minute of great story with sweeping implication . this film deserve to be see and to be recognize for find an extraordinary balance between the dark of dark subject matter and the lightness of touch of it sparkle witty script even if it do flunk the obvious link between the help that herring and wilson provide and the ultimate consequence ( 9/11 ) .