Rating of
3.5/4
Argo - A Real Good Film About a Fake Movie
Chris Kavan - wrote on 10/18/12
Movies based on "true" stories seem to fall into two categories - those that take sever liberties with the subject and bend them to the point of farce and those that stick very true to the story, but are often times dull. I'm happy to say that Argo manages to balance that tightrope act pretty much perfectly, presenting a story that while I'm sure stretches things a bit, keeps itself in check and is quite thrilling at the same time.
Based on the 1979 Iranian hostage crises, six Americans manage to flee the embassy before it is locked down and find themselves holed up at the home of the Canadian ambassador, Ken Taylor (played by Victor Garber in the film). Knowing it's only a matter of time before the Iranians figure out there are six people missing, the U.S. State Department works on a plan to get them out. CIA Agent Tony Mendez is an ex-filtration specialist brought in just to observe, but when he realized their plan to get them out will most likely also get them captured and/or killed, he devises his own plan. Argo - a fake movie, where he will, and the six Americans in hiding, will pose as a Canadian film crew, and just fly out of the country using carefully-crafted fake IDs complete with background and history. It's audacious, a bit crazy and, like the saying goes, truth is stranger than fiction.
Ben Affleck plays Mendez as he also takes on directing duties. I have to say, he does a great job of capturing the feel of the late 70s/early 80s. From the vintage opening logo, to the spot-on wardrobe (and hair) and an amazing soundtrack - you feel like you're transported right back to that period of time. Also, everyone smokes and drinks - because nothing conveys the past more than killing yourself slowly.
He also does a good job of depicting the more radical elements in Iran - and if you stay for the credits you can see the original pictures compared to the film - from the storming of the embassy to bodies hanging from cranes - it is a sobering reminder of just how much danger these six people faced.
The film itself has some great casting. Affleck himself does Mendez justice - he doesn't come off too cocky, but very serious and driven. While he doesn't get much time with his family, you can tell that's where he really wants to be. Early in the movie is the more light-hearted part where Mendez has to deal with getting his fake movie sold to Hollywood. He turns to special-effects man John Chambers (played by John Goodman) who in turn hooks him up with a film producer Lester Siegel (a wonderfully deadpan Alan Arkin) and together the three of them convince the world that Argo is happening.
The second part of the film is all about Mendez' plan to get these six Americans out. Here is where the tense moments come in - and, despite the face we know how things turn out, he still manages to leave you on the edge of your seat about whether this insane plan can actually work. I'm sure this is where the most liberties were taken with what truly happened - I doubt that the events played out exactly as they did in the film, but, hey, to keep that tension up you may have to make things a bit more interesting. The casting of these Americans is good - Rory Cochrane (best known to me, anyways, as either Slater for Dazed and Confused or his long stint on CSI Miami), Clea Duvall, Tate Donovan, Kerry Bishé, Christopher Denham and Scoot McNairy just do a wonderful job of capturing the heavy weight and emotion of being in such a dangerous situation.
I don't think the portrayal of Iran as it was during this time is insensitive or over-the-top - once again, the pictures at the end don't lie - and I believe Affleck didn't try to sensationalize events. Rounding out the cast Bryan Cranston and Kyle Chandler as two of Mendez' superiors. All in all, both the characters and story are well-crafted and if this isn't nominated for some awards I will be surprised.
Argo is a too-good-to-be-true tale that happens to be honest-to-goodness true. I'm just glad this was declassified in 1997 - a story this amazing should be told and Affleck makes it his best film to date and I think he has only gotten better with each film.
