Based on the real events in 1979 when the American embassy in Iran was stormed by militants, leaving 52 Americans to be taken hostage. Six Americans in the embassy were able to escape before being captured and subsequently found refuge at the Canadian ambassador's home. With no means to escape and no telling how long it would take for the Iranians to realise they had escaped capture, the six were left to stay in Iran. The CIA desperate for a solution brought in exfiltration expert Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) who proposes an idea so farfetched that it might just work. Mendez suggests that he flies to Iran as part of a Canadian science fiction film crew planning to film in Iran. Once there he plans to meet up with his production crew (the six Americans) and fly them home. In order to pull off the operation the fake movie known as Argo had to appear authentic, leading to Mendez acquiring the help of certain Hollywood personalities.
Ben Affleck was once the poster boy for Hollywood blockbusters and although he had some notable roles he gained a reputation as a mediocre actor. It wasn't until Affleck decided to take up the camera and direct his first movie: Gone Baby Gone that he really came into his own. Affleck then went on to star in his second film: The Town proving not only that he has a natural talent for direction but also that he can in fact act. There is now no doubt that Affleck is a talented director as Argo is one of the more sophisticated and impressive films of the year.
Affleck also delivers what I believe is his best acting performance in the film as CIA agent Tony Mendez. Mendez is a dedicated and brilliant agent who puts his own life at risk to extract the six American officials. Affleck comes across as a very likeable person who has tragically devoted his life to his job and his country, leaving behind his personal life and family. Affleck is the driving force behind the film and it shows that he can direct himself better than most other directors.
Affleck delivers a really strong performance but it's his supporting cast that steals the show. Bryan Cranston plays fellow agent Jack O'Donnell who supports Mendez' elaborate operation and puts everything on the line to assist him when things don't go as planned. For anyone that has seen Breaking Bad they will know how talented an actor Cranston is and Hollywood is slowly starting to realise as well. Cranston has popped up in countless supporting roles over the past few years mostly for just a few minutes but thankfully his roles are starting to gain more substance such as in this film. Now that Breaking Bad has finished filming its final season it will be good to see Cranston take on some larger roles in the future.
The best performances in the film come from Alan Arkin who plays Hollywood producer Lester Siegel and John Goodman who plays Oscar winning make up artist John Chambers. Chambers is a real life person who helped the CIA with operation Argo however Arkin's character Siegel is a composite of four different characters. Despite that fact both characters are excellent and add some humour to the tense film. The pair set up a fake company in Hollywood as well as find a script, design storyboards, a movie poster, take out a two page magazine advertisement and even hold a launch party to promote the fake movie. It's amazing the lengths they went to in order to make Argo appear authentic and it has been revealed now just how successful their efforts were. It's believed that famous directors such as Steven Spielberg were sucked into the ruse and even sent in scripts to the fake company.
The entire film is excellent but the beginning and ending scenes are without doubt the most compelling. The introduction to film where the 52 Americans are taken hostage and the six escape is a scary and desperate situation that few could relate to. As the Iranians threaten to break down the gates and storm the embassy the officials inside realise they have no where to hide, no where to flee to and no one to come and help them. Affleck manages to capture the perspective from both outside the gates and inside the embassy emphasising the desperation from both sides.
The conclusion is equally as memorable as Mendez' plan is put into action. The captivating montage through the city that lasts for about twenty minutes is thrilling and suspenseful. Although the ending may be dramatised slightly it's clear that Affleck has taken every measure to ensure the film is authentic and accurate.
This is a very intriguing and thrilling movie, with it's events so unbelievable you sometimes forget that they really happened. The real story wasn't declassified until 1997 by President Clinton, prior to that America and the rest of the world were oblivious to the efforts of the CIA and agent Mendez. Argo may shed some light on a well known event, but it makes you wonder what other secrets are classified that will hopefully one day be revealed.
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