Argo (Ben Affleck, 2012): USA

Reviewed by Kathleen Amboy.  Viewed at Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara, CA.

  Argo is the title of a real but undeveloped, science-fiction fantasy screenplay, chosen by CIA op Tony Mendez  (Ben Affleck), as a ruse to attempt a rescue of six American Embassy personnel, in harm’s way from the Iranian government in 1980.

Amid angry shouts and violent protesting, a surge of hostile combatants overtake the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, as personnel inside scramble to burn and shred important documents viable to our national security.  One by one, employees are overcome and taken hostage by the angry insurgents, while six individuals manage to slip away unnoticed, and take refuge in the home of Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor (Victor Garber).

Once the State Department is briefed on the situation, the challenge arises of how to safely exfiltrate these six without endangering their lives, or that of the Canadian Ambassador.  Working on someone’s brilliant idea of sneaking in six bicycles and a map to the border, agent Mendez comes up with an alternate plan to pose as a Canadian film crew, out scouting possible locations, similar to the genre locations of Star Wars.

With a thumbs up, Mendez proceeds by connecting in Hollywood with make-up artist John Chambers (John Goodman), a previous contact,  and film producer Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin), who succeed in acquiring the rights to the screenplay, as well as setting up an office for the faux film production company.

Obtaining six fake Canadian passports as well as one for himself, is only one of the many obstacles Mendez must overcome, as he finally meets up and trains his “film crew” and becomes personally involved, only to have Washington pull the plug at the final hour.

Argo is edge-of-your-seat entertaining, and there are moments when you are literally holding your breath and biting your lip.  With brutal cross-cut editing, the viewer is forced into panic mode as the scene jumps from angry mobs to fearful embassy workers, scrambling to secure documents, and again from tormented and blind-folded hostages to the anxious six, bracing themselves for the worse possible scenario.

The film is an ensemble cast, with no single stand-out performance, although Goodman and Arkin are both strong and a bit of a humorous relief.  There are a few lagging moments between Mendez and his young son, that causes one to question Affleck’s choice, however it does work later to humanize Mendez, so overall the film is great, and much deserving of an Oscar nod in directing and editing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Published:
11.10.12 / 9pm
Category:
Films