Argo movie poster

Argo

In theaters October 12, 2012

120 minutes

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In 1979, the U.S. supported regime of Mohammed Reza Pahlavi collapsed in the midst of an Islamic revolution. U.S.-Iranian relations became extremely volatile. Ayatollah Khomeini encourage Iranian militants to attack U.S. interests, spurring a violent takeover and hostage crisis at the U.S. embassy in Tehran. Dozens of U.S. citizens were held hostage for 444 days.
This takeover prompted a routine purge of personnel data in the last few moments of the occupation. Six American diplomats managed to escape the ordeal, taking shelter with the Canadian ambassador to Iran.
Ben Affleck plays Antonio Mendez, an exfiltration specialist in the C.I.A. His plan, to pose as a Hollywood producer and convince Iranian customs the escapees are part of his film crew, scouting locations for a big budget sci-fi feature.
Ben Affleck’s newest chronicles previously classified information, offering an edge of your seat history lesson.
Ar-go f#*k yourself. It’s the exclamation that defines this spirited operation. The phrase is used frequently for comedic relief, but also defines the “pivotal impasse” in the film. Coincidentally, my least favorite scene: the inevitable cancelled mission, followed by a forced 2-minute visual of Affleck pacing a hotel room, queue the personal conflict, queue dramatic soundtrack.
Corny crossroads scene aside, this is an excellent portrayal of this real-life, heroic rescue mission amid a turbulent crisis. The closing 30 minutes is some of the most stressful story-telling you will experience in a film. It’s half thriller, half history lesson.  Affleck admits to taking dramatic license to the facts of the operation, but the bones are there. The film is based on Antonio Mendez’s book, Argo: How the CIA and Hollywood Pulled off the Most Audacious Rescue in History, a personal account of the daring rescue.
Argo is a fast-paced, international espionage thrill ride. Ben Affleck not only turns in a master performance (though at times upstaged by Alan Arkin), but also directs and produces. Highly recommend this one!

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Articles by
Chris Giroux
Movie Reelist Contributor: Chris Giroux
Chris Giroux is founder and editor-in-charge at Movie Reelist, an entertainment news and review blog serving the most fanatic moviegoers. Chris started his publication in Detroit in 2010 and has since reviewed hundreds of films and interviewed numerous talent across the country. He is an avid film festival attendee and red carpet photographer, having shot the likes of Steven Spielberg, Bill Murray, Mark Hamill, and more. Chris grew up in New Mexico, where he studied mass media writing while working in post-production and multimedia authoring. It is also where he discovered Big Trouble in Little China and Escape from New York, resulting in an unhealthy Kurt Russell obsession.

Comments

  1. Reply

    “Argo” is certainly the best film of the year…thus far. Glad to see that Hollywood can still crank out solid movies.

  3. Reply

    Argo. A bit of nostalgia with a lot of ‘edge of your seat’ drama. Especially liked the incorporation of 1979 footage into the movie. Movie reminds you just how good we have it in the U.S.

  4. Reply

    Argo is a MUST SEE movie! Great recap of a historical event. Even though you know how it ends based on the true facts, you are still seating on the edge of your seat.

  5. Reply

    Argo was a good political movie loved the comedy and suspense. Ben affleck played the role perfectly hope this movie gets awards.

  8. Reply

    ARGO the film that never happens is one of the best movies I have seen this year based on true events. Mr Ben Affleck, you have found your gift in life by making Excellent movies and God Bless America 🙂

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