Argo (2012) ★ ★ ★ ★
Based on the true rescue operation of a CIA agent in 1980,
Ben Affleck’s new bio-thriller Argo
conveys the chaos of the situation with a dramatic twist. Affleck stays true to
the story of now-retired agent Antonio Mendez and the mission, which remained
classified until 1997.
Argo follows the
rescue op of six fugitive American diplomats, who have previously fled
following the attack of their embassy a year prior. There are genuinely
traumatic moments in the film – we follow the group driving through a riot,
suspenseful security checks and hiding in a basement.
This is no ordinary rescue mission – Mendez enters as a
composed, articulate agent who decides to travel to Tehran posing as a Canadian
film producer. True to history, the six hostages remained in the Canadian
embassy for over a year. During the whole film, it’s clear that time is running
out – and Affleck draws on this urgency in nail-biting, fast-chopping action scenes.
Comic relief and witty commentary on the Hollywood culture
comes from acting veterans Alan Arkin and John Goodman as Mendez’ film industry
contacts. For a thriller film, the dialogue is dense yet free-flowing and each
character is well articulated. Cuts between the execs in the White House and
CIA illustrate how risky and improvised the mission was –while subtlely acknowledging
their ruthlessness as organisations.
Despite the filmic freedom – especially the intense finale –
Argo is chillingly reminiscent to
modern-day riot footage. Affleck authentically conveys the chaos of revolution
and captures the spirit of the late 70s that the reality of our security in the
move theatre is momentarily challenged.
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