The opening scenes of Argo of the Iranian take-over of the American
embassy in November 1979 are riveting. The real news footage combines
beautifully with the modern film. Watching quick cuts of the invasion of
compound and the fear of the people working there, unsettles us from the
beginning. We are warned about the consequences for the 52 hostages taken—they could
be hanged, shot, beheaded—and as volatile as the situation was, many people saw
their chances of release pretty slim. (In fact, they were held hostage 44
days.)
The film concentrates not on the 52 hostages, but on the six
American diplomats who escaped that day and took refuge in the Canadian Ambassador’s
home. (In spite of the danger he and his wife faced for the actions.)
Various plans of escape were suggested by those in command
at the White House; among them providing them with bicycles for them to ride
out (it was winter) or claiming they were foreign teachers (there were no
foreign teachers left). Finally CIA specialist Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck)
suggests the most audacious of the plans: claim they were part of a Canadian
film crew scouting locations for a movie and have them fly out of Tehran right
under the nose of the military.
When they are given the go-ahead, Mendez enlists John
Chambers (John Goodman), a well-known Hollywood special effects guru, and film
producer, Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin) to create a movie that doesn’t exist, with
a script, publicity campaign, cast, and production offices. Thus the film Argo
is born.
Affleck’s cast is superb; the production values excellent; the recreation of the 1979 time period is carefully crafted; the tension overwhelming. With reminders of the danger, whether it is the
shooting of Iranian citizens, or bodies hanging from cranes from public
executions, or the constant rhetoric of the Iranian liberation movement
leaders, the film builds to an incredible climax, where I wanted to jump up and
cheer just to break the tension.
I will be disappointed if the film is not nominated in
several fields and hope that it makes the boost Ben Afflick’s career could use.
This is one of the best films I have seen in my 100 days.
Argo (2012) *****
