'Argo' one of year's best
A movie about the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis probably doesn't sound like it would be a laugh riot — or should be — but that's just one of the many ways in which “Argo” is a glorious, gripping surprise.
Directing his third feature, Ben Affleck has come up with a seamless blend of detailed international drama and breathtaking suspense, with just the right amount of dry humor to provide context and levity. He shows a deft handling of tone, but also gives one of his strongest performances yet as the film's star.
It's exciting to see the confidence with which Affleck expands his ambition and scope as a filmmaker. “Argo” reveals his mastery of pacing and storytelling, even as he juggles complicated set pieces, various locations and a cast featuring 120 speaking parts.
And the story he's telling sounds impossible, but it's absolutely true (with a few third-act tweaks). Finally declassified in 1997, the daring rescue mission depicted here still didn't make a huge splash even then. It's a fascinating tale of bravery, international friendship and plain old moxie.
When protestors stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran — recreated here frighteningly, viscerally — 52 people became hostages for the first of 444 days. But six employees got out a back door and sought refuge at the home of Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor (Victor Garber).
They became known as “the houseguests,” and with each passing week they spent there, their safety was in increasing danger. Someone had to get them out ... but how?
Enter Tony Mendez, a longtime CIA operative who specialized in such rescues. Affleck plays the part of the quiet, world-weary force who comes up with the craziest of schemes.
Mendez would fly to Tehran under a false name and pretend he'd come there with the six U.S. officials. They'd all pose as a film crew scouting locations for a sci-fi action flick called “Argo.” With fake passports in hand, they'd walk right out the front door, get on a plane and fly home to safety. As Mendez's boss at the CIA (a commanding Bryan Cranston) puts it, “This is the best bad idea we have.”
But the Americans had to know their parts inside and out, and the film at least had to look real enough to fool people — and for that, Mendez turns to an old friend, makeup artist John Chambers (John Goodman). Chambers in turn hooks him up with veteran Hollywood producer Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin), who puts the wheels in motion to give “Argo” the necessary authenticity: big ads in the trades, a production office, even the media circus of a script read-through.
A cheesy “Star Wars” rip-off, “Argo” would have been total schlock if it had actually seen the light of day, and that's a major source of humor that's inside-Hollywood. As Siegel says, if he's going to make a fake movie, “it's going to be a fake hit.”
Working with a top-notch production team, Affleck creates a vivid '70s vibe while moving fluidly between these intersecting storylines. While steeped in the trends and filmmaking style of the decade, “Argo” still feels immediate and relevant. Affleck's best film yet is also one of the best films of the year.
TITLE: “Argo”CAST: Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Bryan Cranston, Victor Garber, Tate DonovanDIRECTOR: Ben AffleckRATED: R for language and some violent imagesGRADE: ★★★★★ (out of 5)
