Caught in revolution

I’m not saying Ben Affleck is the new Clint Eastwood, but taking the lead in a film you directed and still creating an engaging work of genius is not easy.

Thinking the film was probably going to take a pro-American view and milk it on screen, I expected absolute drivel. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Yes, the film is based on American facts, but no … you will not be disappointed.

Argo marks the third feature film Affleck has directed and the second time he has starred in his own work. Only this time, he’s moved to an unfamiliar location and decided to tell a true story that taps into the past, focusing on what may come … after all, history has a tendency of repeating itself.

The film is set in the late 1970s when Iran was at the centre of a chaotic revolution. After the Shah was exiled from power and went to America for safe haven, the Iranian revolutionaries protested his escape by raiding the US Embassy taking 52 Americans hostage.

However, six Americans managed to escape from the back entrance and found refuge in the Canadian Ambassador’s home, hiding in a dark cellar most of the time, staying out of the public eye. At the same time the Iranian revolutionary guard was slowly piecing their identities together.

After being trapped for nearly three months, CIA agent Tony Mendez comes up with a genius plan to save them. He decides to pose as a Canadian film producer scouting for film locations to make a fake science fiction movie called Argo.

It just so happens that Iran is on his list of places to scout. In an attempt to fool the Iranians and get the six on a plane back the US, Mendez makes the movie look legit. He promotes it through press events, writes a script, does casting calls and even produces a poster. But, he can’t do it on his own … in comes Planet of the Apes makeup artist John Chambers (Goodman) and Hollywood film producer Lester Siegel (Arkin) - who no one wants to get on the bad side of – to lend a helping hand.

The plan doesn’t go as smoothly as he hopes and the audience will probably know how it’s going to end. Having said this, I was still left clasping the edge of my seat in the theatre from the nerve-wracking suspense.

Affleck was very likeable as Tony although he underplayed his role in the movie, but as director, he was superb. He nailed the pace of the movie, added humour at the right moments and never put the blame on one side, as well as using original source material to base his creative insight into the problems that occurred. The third act showcased his strong directing skills as he blended a good script and great actors.

Moreover, the actors playing the six Americans in hiding are the reason that I was rooting for them. By using familiar faces with Clea DuVall, known for American Horror Story, as Cora, Christopher Denham, who rose to fame in Person of Interest, as Mark, Kerry Bishé from Red State as Kathy, Rory Cochrane, from the show 24 as Lee, Tate Donovan, known for Damages as Bob and Scoot McNairy (OK, I had never heard of him), they managed to turn each character into someone the audience cared for.

However, Goodman and Arkin’s characters provided the best scenes in the entire movie. Arkin is a potty-mouthed comic whiz, who alleviated the drama with enjoyable, cynical one-liners. Goodman, well, his appearance alone is hilarious. They both portrayed typical Hollywood personalities, which Affleck takes subtle stabs at throughout the film.

 In my opinion, the movie did have unnecessary moments focusing on Tony’s failing marriage and his 10-year-old son, but some could argue that it provided a personal backdrop into the character.

 Nevertheless, with the success of Affleck’s previous film The Town, where he starred and directed, he is definitely on a roll. I would even go as far as saying Argo is one of the best films to come out this year. It has a great cast, a good director and a very interesting story… what more could you ask for?

*Showing in Cineco, Seef II and Saar Cineplex