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Rating: 5 out of 5
The first time I saw Argo was with my friends when I was visiting San Diego when it first came out in theaters. I remember that it was an intense movie from the get-go. Years later, I finally watched it again, and I was still blown away by the intensity of the story, environment, and acting. I want to give director and star Ben Affleck credit because he did the damn thing in this film. For his third time behind the camera, Affleck tells the “true” tale of how U.S. Central Intelligence Agency operative Tony Mendez manages to lead the rescue of six U.S. diplomats from Tehran, Iran, under the guise of filming a science fiction film during the 1979–1981 Iran hostage crisis.
Argo begins in late 1979; anti-American sentiments are running extremely high in Iran because the U.S. and President Carter gave asylum to the former Shah of Iran during the Iranian Revolution. The former Shah is despised by the Iranian people because, for one, the U.S. put him into place in the 1950s and, during his thirty-one-year reign, put the country through hardships and deaths only for his family to benefit and live lavishly. In November, Iranian militants, working under the name of its new leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, are able to break through the secured perimeter of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. Sixty-six of the embassy staff are taken as hostages, but six avoid capture and are sheltered in the home of Canadian ambassador Ken Taylor. With the escapee’s situation kept secret, the U.S. State Department explores options to get the six refugees out of Iran. Tony Mendez (Affleck), a U.S. Central Intelligence Agency exfiltration specialist, is brought in for a consultation. After discussing many different options, the group is stumped on how to bring the group home. One day, after speaking with his son, he gets inspiration by watching Battle for the Planet of the Apes and begins plans for creating a cover story for the escapees: that they are Canadian filmmakers who are in Iran scouting exotic locations for a science-fiction film. Time soon becomes short as the Iranian government begins using sweatshops to put together the shredded papers.
First, let’s talk about the story and intensity of this film. The opening scene watching the rioters chant in front of the U.S. embassy will give you chills because they mean business. The camera work that Affleck uses adds to the overall fear and intensity of the moment. Even though the intensity dies down just a little, Affleck makes sure to keep the intensity level high when scenes of Iran are shown. You know everyone is in danger in these scenes, and people need to keep their game face on. At the Canadian embassy, it looks like murder squads are just looking to kill people as the housekeeper looks out of the window and sees a fellow citizen murdered. After Affleck’s character makes it to Iran and meets with the group, they go out and do their cover story at the marketplace. Tensions are high as you see a clash of cultures. Homegirl takes a picture, and the owner blows up at her and the group. You think they will be caught right then and there, but somehow they make it out. The airport scene will have your heart almost beating out of your chest. The group is so close to making it out, and then when they are stopped and interrogated, you just don’t know if they are going to make it, but it is so good and intense you can’t take your eyes away.
Even with the high-intensity moment, Affleck perfectly put in the comedy relief moments with Lester Siegel (Arkin) and John Chambers (Goodman). The way these two played off each other was excellent and funny. They were Hollywood people, and they were the ones who put the idea in motion to making a fake movie. As they stated, all the movies are fake and just threw some shade at Hollywood. Whenever you saw Arkin and Chambers on screen, you knew you were going to get a laugh.
The acting was spot on in this film. Ben Affleck as Tony Mendez was decent. Even though he was doing duel roles, he didn’t steal the limelight from anyone. To be honest, he almost played second fiddle to Arkin and Goodman as they stole the whole movie. Affleck was just right and did enough to make his performance strong. Affleck portrayed him as one that the attention really didn’t need to be on throughout the film. You knew he was doing his job, but he didn’t hog the camera time.
The supporting cast also made this film really strong, and even with six people who are in hiding, they each had just enough time on the screen where you cared about them and their safety. Christopher Denham, Clea DuVall, Tate Donovan, Rory Cochrane, Kerry Bishé, and Scoot McNairy all did a great job in making us care for them even when some of them thought the plan wouldn’t work.
I said this before, but Alan Arkin as Lester Siegel and John Goodman as John Chambers stole the whole movie. They should be applauded for how well they acted and made serious moments into funny moments. Arkin was just fantastic in this film. His delivery was spot on, and he just seemed to be himself and go with the flow of things.
Argo is a must-see movie for anyone who just loves a good political drama. The acting is spot on. The camera work makes you feel for each character, and the story is everything you want in a good movie. You can watch this film, and I guarantee you will be entertained.
