Review - Argo

Hollywood Loves Hollywood and I Love Argo

In the late 1970s the situation in Iran started to reach a crescendo. As anti-American sentiment was at its height an invasion of the US embassy took 52 Americans hostage. These Americans were held as leverage to get the Iranian leader returned to face the people. But in the midst of the takeover of the US Embassy, six Americans got away. The Canadian ambassador took them in; but with the walls closing in around them, the ambassador AND the Americans were in jeopardy.

 The CIA has decided they needed to act, or these six Americans would likely be killed. A CIA agent name Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) is brought in to do what he does best, “exfiltration”. The best idea he has come with, create a fake movie.

Now it’s up to Tony to see if he can get the pieces together to get the hostages out safe. He enlists the help of John Chambers (John Goodman), a Hollywood effects man that has the access to help set up the operation. The fake project needs a real director, and for that the team turns to Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin). Together they will create the illusion that the big budget, high profile sci-fi spectacular Argo will use the Iranian backdrop for their new film. Can they pull it off?

Ok, I’m just going to start off my analysis like this…I really like this film. Ben Affleck as a director is really starting to feel his situations and take us as viewers along for the ride. As I went through the period in Iran, I felt that I was there, alongside Ben as a fly on his jacket. The emotions I was to feel flowed from me as easy as anything I can imagine. Sure it helped that he had some very talented people along with him, but everything from the direction to the screenplay to the acting was spot on.

And let’s talk about the acting. Ben works as the lead that tries to separate himself from those around him. His co-creators on the film aspect of the movie Alan Arkin and John Goodman are award caliber good! Arkin brings his special brand of power and wit to capture the screen every time he graces it. And John Goodman has never been better than his role as the person that helps Ben put the whole plan together. Witty yet serious – the group is entirely enjoyable to experience.

The story that is here, is one that most no the periphery of, but there aren’t many that can tell you the specifics. Drawing on a declassified mission, and with the help of some of those that participated, Affleck tells a story that flows with a very special screenplay.

Ok, so I’m glowing about this film. There may be better films I will see yet this year…but to this point, so far, my money is on Argo for SERIOUS talk in EVERY year-end award. Hollywood loves movies about Hollywood…and in this case Hollywood is there to save the day…and it is good!

A

Argo

Warner Brothers Pictures

Director: Ben Affleck

Stars: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman

Rating: R

Runtime: 2 hours