Argo Review

   

When I first read about Argo, I naturally assumed that the story had been made up.  So imagine my surprise when I find out that it was actually based on a true story.  The story of Argo is usually the kind of thing that only happens in the movies and even then it would be difficult to believe.  Nevertheless, Ben Affleck makes a movie that never fails to be compelling.

Argo opens up with an uprising in Iran that results in the overtaking of the American embassy and the Iranians taking everyone inside hostage.  However, six embassy employees manage to sneak out the back shortly before the building was captured and find refuge at the home of the Canadian ambassador.  Figuring that it’s only a matter of time before the Americans are found and killed, the U.S. government attempts to devise a plan to get them out of the country.  CIA agent Tony Mendez comes up with the idea to smuggle them out of Iran by having them pose as a Canadian film crew scouting locations for a fake sci-fi movie. 

Ben Affleck’s career as a director has been short, but he has already proven himself to be a very talented director and that has never been more evident than with Argo.  He sets the tone of the 70s well and manages to include some surprisingly funny jokes about Hollywood without undermining the severity of the circumstances.  Even though his name may have top billing he never hesitates to share the screen with his talented supporting cast and Argo is all the better for it.  If anything, the supporting characters are some of the best parts of the movie including some standout performances from Alan Arkin and John Goodman.  While it’s likely only one of them will come out of this with an Oscar nomination both actors are very deserving candidates.

Argo has emerged as the early frontrunner to win the Academy Award for Best Picture and it’s not hard to see why.  It’s an intelligent, elegantly written, well-paced thriller that is certain to make a big splash at this year’s Oscars. 

Grade: A