Having only enjoyed Ben Affleck in films like Dogma, Mallrats, Chasing Amy and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (see the pattern there), it was kind of hard to digest I was going to see a very suspenseful drama based on a true event. With two critically acclaimed films under his belt that Affleck directed (Gone Baby Gone, The Town) he may have found his niche. Not knowing anything of the history behind Argo other than what the trailer has taught me, I was in for a surprise. Without the full political hoo-ha that I don’t know much about, here’s the simpleton review.
Based on a true life event, the film opens with a brief rundown on people in power of Iran. The narrator explains that in 1950 Mohammad Mosaddegh was elected Prime Minister of Iran. He did stuff with the oil that pissed off the United States and Great Britain, which lead to a coup in 1953 by the guys to tear him down and be replaced by re-installing the Shah. In doing so, the Shah exploited the power, sending the place into more of a poverty stricken mess when there were attempts in Westernizing Iran. Eventually overthrown and replaced by Ayatollah Khomeini. In 1979, the Shah revealed to have cancer and seeked refuge in the US, infuriating the people of Iran.
The film begins with Iran student protests at the US Embassy in Tehran, with many US staff trapped inside, attempting to destroy evidence by burning or shredding. The protestors end up breaking their way in, taking hostage all but 6 staff, who manage to escape to the Canadian Embassy, without the protestors’ knowledge nor what they look like, only knowing that they could find them via piecing together the shredded papers. Back in the US, the CIA discuss several plans to try and rescue the 6 stranded staff, with CIA Specialist Tony Mendez (Affleck) rejecting all the plans that come to fruition. Later that night, while on the phone to his son, Mendez comes up with an idea while watching Battle For The Planet Of The Apes: sneak into Tehran under a false ID as a film producer and get the trapped staff in the Canadian embassy a new identification – Canadians scouting a location for a science fiction film. With help from his supervisor Jack O’Connell (Bryan Cranston), they recruit John Chambers (John Goodman) a Hollywood make-up artist who worked on the film and has previously worked with the CIA for disguises. Chambers then helps recruit film producer Leister Siegel (Alan Arkin) to get a concept story going for the fake film. They then stumble upon the script for Argo – a script so bad and with the right scenery, it might pay off. Once the publicity for the fake film is set, Mendez jets off with fake passports in hand to rescue the six in Tehran and fly them back out domestically, as the Argo film crew…
But not without the huge suspicions of the Iranian military and public. One slip-up and they’re dead.
The two hour film manages to grab your attention from start to finish. With Affleck as the main and director, Argo has the suspense and edge that lasts in every scene. The film even gives you a pit-stop to relax for about 20 minutes to adjust yourself with some witty one-liners from Goodman and Arkin themselves (with a wicked catchphrase you may bound to pick up), before you head back into enemy territory again. The structure and authenticity of trying to replicate 1979 is uncanny, with near closeness to detail for look-a-likes (Kerry Bishe and Clea DuVall playing the real-life Cora Lijek and Kathy Stafford), the fast paced tension and moving shots makes you feel part of the movie. Affleck may have found his strength in directing as Argo is a masterpiece in its own right. Though not 100% perfect to the story, the end credits do mention that the film concentrates on CIA’s involvement more than what the Canadian Embassy had with operations and support. If you want to know more about the actual event – The Canadian Caper – read more here.
See this film – even if you don’t like Affleck.. it’s a freaking great film that has you on the edge of your seat.
[xrr rating=4.5/5]
