Argo
Starring: Ben Affleck, John Goodman, Alan Arkin, Scoot McNair
Directed by: Ben Affleck
Reviewed by Danielle Muir
[rating: 4.5/5]
If nominations for the Academy Awards were based on films that have already been released in 2012, Argo would win best picture. Hands down.
During the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis, 6 Americans fled the riots and avoided capture – hiding within the Canadian ambassador’s residence. As the situation escalates and the Iranians grow closer to locating the escapees (which would result in public execution), the CIA is busy brainstorming an extraction plan. Enter Tony Mendez (Affleck), the industry’s best extraction expert, who formulates an elaborate cover story that the 6 are in fact part of the crew of the upcoming sci-fi Argo, using cover identities to try and pull of a successful escape.
As a director, Ben Affleck seems to be on a dream run – his previous works Gone Baby Gone and The Town receiving high critical praise. But Argo will surpass both. The word Oscar is already being thrown around and rightly so – it’s an absolutely genius piece of perfect filmmaking that easily falls into the category of one of, if not the best, of 2012.
Ben Affleck is spot on as the initially weary Mendez whose light is ignited once more when he is sanctioned to do what he does best – extract. In addition, John Goodman and Alan Arkin are a warm-and-fuzzy kind of likeable twosome as John Chambers (prosthetics expert) and Lester Siegel (Argo’s fake producer) respectively, and their comedic talents providing most of the light-heartedness in this drama. It’s interesting to see how all the six hostages (great performances) interact as well, becoming almost like a tribal council when decisions need to be made – a result of being holed up for so long. Bryan Cranston plays it pretty straight as the man behind the scenes in the office, the only real support Mendez has against a cynical CIA.
The tone initially reflects a highly serious drama, as the riots and initial capture are portrayed in the opening scenes. Once the film plan has been formulated, there are many lighter moments – and the writers seem to relish the opportunity to throw pot-shots at the film industry – however the majority of the film has been crafted with shocking realism. There are even intercuts with real footage to illustrate the lengths the film has gone to recreate the horror of the event, which is very effective in creating a real sense of dread. This also aids in re-enforcing the notion that one false move means a horrific death for all – and the militants grow ever closer to piecing their whereabouts together.
I don’t think the word suspense quite does the more ambiguous scenes in Argo justice. Your taken to another level of anticipation, and be sure to consciously breath as you will be so absorbed you’ll forget. Affleck has done an absolutely perfect job with pacing all throughout, but it never shines brighter than in some of the tensest scenes of 2012.
Argo is an absolute must see. It’d be a hard task to find another film this year that will elicit a similar emotional response. I don’t know how Affleck will be able to top this incredible effort, but boy do I look forward to seeing him try.
