It’s November 4th, 1979. Iranian radicals storm the U.S Embassy in Tehran, seizing 66 Americans hostage. Amongst the bedlam and fear, six brave Americans somehow manage to find a sanctuary with the Canadian Ambassador. Although safe and sound from the pandemonium of Iran, there is still only a matter of time before the refugees are located and very likely, killed. With absolute chaos in a hostile nation, how in the world can the U.S government get the refugees out safely?
It’s actually quite simple. One word: Argo.
The U.S government is running out of ideas and time fast. Any suggestions at all are scarce, and even if there was a brainstorm, it would just be too dangerous. It would spark war. Although skeptical of the decision, the C.I.A calls on extractor Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) for the assignment. His brilliant solution to get the six U.S embassy staff members back in America unharmed? A fake movie. Mendez, acting himself, has the proposition to pretend to be a Canadian film producer. He will go into Tehran under the impression of exploring new areas for an approaching box office sci-fi hit, and all at the same time he will aim to gather up the refugees, see if he can pass the six off as his film crew, and try to get them to the Tehran airport, flying them out of the country under the Iranians’ noses.
Though the plan sounds foolish, it is the U.S government’s last resort in their endeavor to obtain the six Americans from Iranian control. Shortly after landing in Tehran though, Mendez runs into some unpredicted troubles. Trying to instill in the refugees minds who they have to be in order to pass for a legitimate film crew, some along the way can’t trust that Mendez’s proposal will work. All of their lives are at stake, including Mendez’s, and it would take a miracle for the plan to follow through, but with trust and cooperation, it just might work.
Argo is the unbelievably gripping account of a true hero attempting to save his fellow Americans and at the same time risking his and their lives to bring them back to safety. Argo has so many astonishing pieces that made the movie succeed. Before anything else, I think the film needs to be recognized for its truly enthralling storyline. Of course the beginning of every movie is a little slow, but I really feel that Argo could be the exception to that fact. There was truthfully never a dull moment in the entire film. With a compelling script utilized fantastically throughout the entire movie, I can honestly say I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Argo without a doubt is a suspense filled drama and couldn’t be more opposite of a lack-luster picture.
Additionally, Argo had an incredibly fascinating take on cinematography as a whole. The camera styles and techniques looked as though I was in 1979 and I think that really made the movie gel and set the picture of the setting and the time period very well. It’s crazy to say a time that was not so long ago is now considered a period piece, but it is and Argo definitely did a fantastic job with making the viewer feel as if s/he were there.
Lastly, I couldn’t write a review without acknowledging the simply mesmerizing ensemble that Argo encompassed. Of course with blockbuster names such as Ben Affleck, John Goodman and Alan Arkin, the movie is bound to be a winner but in Argo’s case it is the assembly of not quite famous supporting actors and actresses. The remarkable ensemble includes Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), Victor Garber, Tate Donovan, Clea Duvall, Scoot McNairy, Rory Cochrane, and Christopher Denham. They all captured my attention throughout and depicted their characters in such a way that I absolutely loved. Without a shadow of a doubt, the picture as a whole would not have been the same without the stunning cast that Argo incorporated.
Argo on the surface looks to be your average suspense/thriller with action and violence, but I really couldn’t stress enough, and I don’t think anyone could, that it is sincerely much more than that. The plot, the cast, and the overall depiction of the story (based on true events) leave me at a loss for words. I, along with many others I’m sure, would be amazed if Argo isn’t Academy Award bound. Argo was the definition of a quality film and I advise anyone, no matter what genre you prefer, to see the film.
