“Argo” is an excellent film, a suspense thriller done right.
For many, Ben Affleck at the helm was a turn off. They see him as somebody that has burned them in “Gigli.” And while it is right to hate that film, (many of whom say that it is one of the worst ever made) it is wrong to discount his other forays into being behind and in front of the camera. Affleck knows what he’s doing, and his latest shows that he’s only gotten better with time. “Gone Baby Gone,” and “The Town” were both films that garnered a huge amount of beneficial press.
“Argo” opens with a mob storming the U.S. Embassy in Iran in 1980. The performances of those trapped inside, watching the tumult occur around them is a tense experience. You feel as though you’re in the embassy with them, wishing for a way out.
“Argo” does not use huge set pieces or high-strung action to get its point across. Rather, it uses slow build-ups of tension and close-up reaction shots to achieve its effect. And what a wonderful job it does at it, too.
Small details help put you into the era. A vintage Warner logo appears on screen without fanfare. Visible film grain can be seen throughout the entire movie. Affleck used real film and blew it up 200 percent to get the desired look. Art design and casting were done with an attention to the historical personage. During the credits, a side by side comparison is made with production stills and the photographs they used to compare it to.
Affleck’s performance is subdued, and his character remarkably understated. This provides an excellent contrast to Alan Arkin’s Lester Siegel and John Goodman’s John Chambers characters, who present a delightful, scathing, and honest commentary on Hollywood. Comparing it to the harsh realities of Iran during the hostage crisis of the past, the timing and talent of both Arkin and Goodman bring much needed comedic relief.
This is one of the best films of the year and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few Oscar nominations go to it. It might even win a few of them. “Argo” does what good films should do: it entertains, it evokes emotion. Even though you know the outcome of the plot, you are still on the edge of your seat the whole time. It is a masterful creation. If you don’t think so, then, as Arkin’s Lester Siegel said, “Argo…” You fill in the rest.