REVIEW: Argo

 There are no spoilers in this review.

PLOT: A dramatization of the 1980 joint CIA-Canadian secret operation to extract six fugitive American diplomatic personnel out of revolutionary Iran.


THE GOOD: Ben Affleck. Talk about a successful career turnaround for the director, producer, and star of Argo, Ben Affleck. Just when you thought his days were numbered after garbage like Daredevil and Gigli, he decides to get behind the camera in 2007 for Gone Baby Gone. It gets nominated for an Oscar. Then in 2010, he directs The Town, which also gets an Oscar nomination. And now we have Argo, which is already nominated for a Golden Globe and will almost definitely get an Oscar nom. None of his three films dip below 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. How did he do it? Huge props to the guy. I didn't think his acting performance was anything special. In fact, I feel like he just pulled the face one pulls when they have to use the restroom really bad the entire time. However, his careful craftsmanship of this incredible story is what's newsworthy here.

BEN AFFLECK: "So, you see... after reading the first page of the script for Gigli, I just had to take it."

Story. Argo is based on the true story of when a CIA operative led the rescue of six U.S. diplomats from Tehran, during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. It was before my time, so I have no memory of it, but for those I've spoken to about the film who were around, they remembered having the same anxiety one gets when they see this movie. There is a lot of added drama to the film, and even some very much needed comedy, but you will never lose interest in it. Everything about it is capturing. The characters, the location, the cinematography, and the music.

Style. I really loved how they made the movie look older and grainy, as if it were made in 1979. Even the Warner Bros. logo at the beginning is the one they were using at that time. Lots of close-up shots of faces, which were common around that time for dramatic films. Hair and make-up was great. Not overly '70s or cheesy. Wardrobe was great, too, with extensive use of Herringbone suits and jacket, as well as plenty of fatty ties. Lots of time and planning must have been spent on the beginning part with the Iranian takeover of the American embassy. At the end of the film, you see some side-by-side comparisons of the film and real-life. Practically all of it is spot-on. Bravo.

They'll need to drink that whole bottle before they can sit through watching Gigli.

THE BAD: Added drama. I understand that it's Hollywood and they have to dramatize the story to keep interest up, but some of it was silly or felt useless. In particular, the ending on the airport runway seemed very fake. I doubt that happened in the real operation. President Carter delaying the operation was also not real, or at least not to that extent. And the whole part in the airport at security, as climactic as it was, I'm sorry to say did not actually happen. Really, this was a smooth operation, but still an atypical one.


THE END: Would Argo have been better served as a high-budget dramatic documentary? Possibly, but I'm quite satisfied with what Ben Affleck has made here, despite the historical inaccuracies. Argo is one of the better films of the year and will be nominated for many awards. This is a movie that should be seen at least once, but it's debatable how well it would hold up on repeat viewings. I would wait to rent this one and see it once just to get the basic story down. Then you'll likely never need to watch it again.


DISCUSS: What did you think of Argo? What is your favorite Ben Affleck-directed movie? What do you think is his best performance? Were you around during the hostage crisis? Do you think this movie deserved to be nominated for awards?

 CUSTOMS AGENT: "I really liked you in Gigli."