Argo (2012)

Director: Ben Affleck

Starring: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Victor Garber, Tate Donovan, Cleau DuVall, Scoot McNairy, Rory Cochrane, Christopher Denham

More info: IMDb

Tagline: The movie was fake. The mission was real.

Plot: After Iranian militants stormed and took control of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in November 1979 taking 56 Americans as hostages, six Americans managed to get away and took refuge in the home of Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor. After two months of the Canadians putting their lives on the line everyday, the CIA and the US State Department try to come up with a plan to get their people out. Tony Mendez is an "ex filtration" specialist who proposes that they pose as a Canadian film crew scouting locations for a science fiction movie called Argo. Using Hollywood connections, Mendez creates a back story for the movie - ads in Variety, casting calls, inviting he media to a production launch - and then heads off to Iran to lead the six Americans out.

My rating: 8.5/10

Will I watch it again? Probably.

So I FINALLY went to the theater this week to see this picture after weeks and weeks of missing opportunities.  I really enjoyed it.  It's a fascinating subject and Affleck did a very fine job of bringing the story to the movie screens.  I like the look and feel of it probably more than any single part.  It reminded me of best political thrillers of the 70s.  All of the actors did a fine job and it was great seeing John Goodman back on the screen.  The ONLY thing that bothered me and took me out of the picture a bit was the execution of the last act.  Affleck threw in and drew out every possible means of making us think that at every turn the rescue-ees were about to get busted.  I mean this shit was down to the calculated second.  Instead of building tension, for me it lessened it because it was loaded with cliches.  Do they make it, though?  That's for you to see.  Despite the last twenty minutes, it's well worth the watch.  I'd really like to know if some or all of the tension moments Affleck posed really happened.  If all of them did, my apologies Ben.  You made a fine picture. 

I MUST HAVE the fake movie concept poster in the background.  It needs to be framed and on my wall!  Where can I get one?