Actors: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman
Director: Ben Affleck
Honestly, I did not know what to expect when I went to see this movie. The little that I knew about it came from the trailer I saw on TV, and Ben Affleck as a director? That was new to me too. But it was Saturday night and so, off to the movies I went. I didn’t know what I was going to get for my money, but what I got exceeded every possible expectation.
Argo is based on a true story about the rescue of 6 American diplomats who had evaded capture during the seizure of the American embassy in 1979, in Tehran, Iran. A CIA operative named Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) travels to Tehran with a seemingly unimaginable plan to get them out: the six and himself will pose as a Canadian film-crew that is looking for locations to shoot a Sci-Fi movie named…Argo (remember, this is a true story!).
Affleck takes on the principal part and does so very well. But it’s mainly Alan Arkin and John Goodman, who play two Hollywood veterans (one’s a producer, the other a make-up artist) who steel the show. They are hired by Mendez and the CIA to help them create “a real fake movie” and everything that comes with it: a script, actors, press coverage, money, a fake production company,… everything is provided. Towards the end none of all those things turn out to be superfluous.
I’m not sure it’s because this movie is based on a true story, but from the very first minutes it grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go anymore. If anything, it only tightens its grip. Even though you more or less know what the outcome of this story is going to be, it is one of the most suspenseful films I saw these last few years. It was announced today that Argo is nominated for 7 Academy Awards, I would not be surprised if it scoops up the biggest one: best film.
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