Argo [M]

On November 4 1979, during a time when the Iranian Revolution has reached boiling point, militants break in and storm the US embassy in Tehran taking 52 Americans hostage. Amidst the chaos, 6 people manage to escape and are taken into hiding by the Canadian Ambassador at his home. Knowing that it’s only a matter of time before the six are discovered and executed, CIA specialist Tony Mendez comes up with a risky plan to smuggle them safely out of the country. Posing as a producer, he sets up a cover of making a science fiction movie in Iran, with the in-hiding Americans acting as the film crew. 

Ben Affleck is really making a name for himself as a triple threat: actor/producer/director. Two years ago, it was The Town that held audiences captivated and now it’s Argo, a most remarkable true story that has only recently been available to the public. For many years, no one ever knew this happened! 

On November 4 1979, during a time when the Iranian Revolution has reached boiling point, militants break in and storm the US embassy in Tehran taking 52 Americans hostage. Amidst the chaos, 6 people manage to escape and are taken into hiding by the Canadian Ambassador at his home. Knowing that it’s only a matter of time before the six are discovered and executed, CIA specialist Tony Mendez comes up with a risky plan to smuggle them safely out of the country. Posing as a producer, he sets up a cover of making a science fiction movie in Iran, with the in-hiding Americans acting as the film crew. 

What I particularly loved about this movie was that the story was allowed to speak for itself. There was absolutely no need in this flick for big-name actors, explosions, overdone action, scenes of obviously heightened drama or anything like that. The story alone was such a strange and strong one that it was all that was needed to drive the film. Never underestimate the power of the story people! 

Ben Affleck delivers a great performance as Tony Mendez. There was a great reservedness about him that I rather admired. I mean he was dramatic, witty, and funny and showed emotion when the time called for it, but he didn’t overdo it, he knew just how far to push it and then pull it back. He was great. 

Starring John Goodman, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, Tate Donovan, Scoot McNairy, Rory Cochrane, Clean DuVall, Christopher Denham, Kerry Bishe, and Victor Garber, Argo is a great movie filled with risk, drama, action, and suspense. Winner of 3 Oscars including Best Achievement in Film Editing, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Picture, Argo is an amazing story that will restore shattered faith in human creativity.