“This is the best bad idea we have, sir. By far.” —Jack O’Donnell
Today’s quick review: Argo. In 1979, six diplomats escape the capture of the capture of the U.S. embassy in Iran and seek refuge in the Canadian ambassador’s residence. With the situation in Iran growing worse, Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck), a CIA agent specializing in exfiltration, proposes a risky plan to sneak the diplomats out of the country: have them pose as a Canadian film crew visiting Iran to scout for a location to shoot a fake science fiction movie.
Argo is a political thriller set during the Iran Hostage Crisis. Argo is based on the true story of a daring attempt to rescue six diplomats trapped in Iran. The movie features strong writing and directing, a star-studded cast, a tense tone, and a firm dedication to realism. Argo captures a particularly dramatic period in U.S. history, letting the uneasy political climate underscore the stakes of Tony Mendez’s far-fetched scheme.
As a drama, Argo relies heavily on realism to establish its tone. Real events and people are recreated in minute detail, and the movie never loses sight of its historical context. At the same time, the focus of the story is on the mechanics of the escape itself. Some attention is spared for the individual characters, particularly Tony’s struggle to put the operation together, but for the most part, Argo simply lets the events do the talking.
Argo also has a light dusting of comedy due to the absurd nature of the ruse. John Goodman and Alan Arkin play John Chambers and Lester Siegel, the Hollywood insiders who agree to help Tony stage his fake movie. Their performances are a breath of fresh air, a reprieve from the otherwise constant drama of the film. They are joined by Bryan Cranston as Jack O’Donnell, Tony’s superior at the CIA and the one ally he has in pitching his scheme.
Watch Argo when you are in the mood for a weighty, well-executed thriller with a solid grounding in historical fact. The political aspects of the film and its heavy tone make Argo a poor choice for those looking for escapism. But its strong craftsmanship and credible story make it a worthwhile watch for those who don’t mind some truth mixed in with their fiction.
7.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for strong craftsmanship; your score will be higher if you appreciate the film’s realistic approach to drama.