Argo (2012) Movie Review

The year is 1979. Iran is in turmoil because the United States is holding their fallen leader. The people want him back to their country so they can punish him for his past actions. But the US won’t budge. So in protest, the militants storm the US embassy in Tehran.

As the crowd gathers at the embassy’s gate, the diplomats inside become anxious. And when the crowd goes louder, wilder, and more violent, the Americans know it’s time to take action. Quickly, they start incinerating top-secret records and important documents. From one document to the other, the officers pile as much as they can. But the incinerator stops working, and the militants have already entered the building.

Some Americans are caught, but 6 of them manage to escape and seek shelter at the house of a Canadian ambassador.

Back in the United States, Tony Mendez and the CIA work day and night to find the best way to extract the diplomats. But all the options are not without dangerous risks and consequences. And just when everyone thinks all hopes are gone, Tony comes up with a brilliant idea.

One night, he calls up his son and learns he’s watching Planet of the Apes. Inspired by this sci-fi movie, Tony starts crafting a fake movie which they plan on filming in Iran.

Through the help of Hollywood make-up artist, John Chambers, and Lester Siegel, a film producer, they develop and execute Argo.

• Ben Affleck - Tony Mendez; the CIA operative who successfully extracted the American diplomats from the militants
• Bryan Cranston - Tony Mendez’s supervisor; went against the command of his boss to secure flight tickets for the diplomats
• John Goodman - John Chambers; Hollywood make-up artist who helped craft a fake movie, Argo, with Tony Mendez
• Alan Larkin - Lester Siegel; a film producer who helped John Chambers and Tony Mendez with the movie 
• Victor Garber - Ken Taylor; the Canadian ambassador who helped the American escapees
• Tate Donovan, Clea DuVall, Christopher Denham, Scoot McNairy, Kery Bishe, Rory Cochrane - Robert Anders, Cora Lijek, Mark Lijek, Joe Stafford, Kahty Stafford, and Lee Schatz; the 6 American diplomats

I must admit that the movie was pretty impressive. I thought the creators did a good job re-creating the hostage crisis.

But when I did my research, I found out that there are several inaccuracies.

If this movie were pure fiction, I would easily forgive Ben Affleck for these errors. But it’s not. I personally think that it’s the filmmaker’s responsibility to present actual facts because the public may believe what they see, and the movie was pretty convincing.  

So, the big question is, should you watch it?

D-E-F-I-N-I-T-E-L-Y!

But, if you’re from Britain, Canada, or New Zealand, here’s a little caveat. You may find Argo a little debasing because according to some of the articles I’ve read, this movie is not that accurate.

For instance, it claims that Britain turned their backs on the American escapees, but in actuality, they were the first one to take them in.

No more spoilers from this point, but let’s just say I already warned you. Wink!