Argo is Ben Affleck's third film as director and proof that Affleck is officially the best up-and-coming filmmaker as of now. This time, Affleck tells a story that was declassified under President Clinton's administration and gives us a thrilling film. Sure-it is not as thrilling as his previous film The Town but what is? What I am trying to convey is that Argo is an exciting, terrifically acted thriller even if it does lose its footing a couple of times.
In the film...Affleck plays Tony Mendez...a CIA specialist who tells the top gun (Bryan Cranston) his idea of how he wants to make a fake film to get six Americans safely out of the Canadian Ambassador (Victor Garber)'s house. It is with the assistance of make up artist John Chambers (John Goodman) and highly acclaimed producer Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin) that this film will "get made."
The film gets the audience involved from the monologue to the very last second. There is much to like about this film but the best thing about this film is that Affleck keeps us on our feet with both the acting and directing. The performances are great-especially Goodman and Arkin who are extremely funny as "Hollywood types." The directing gives us much to admire especially in the final showdown involving an airplane. There is also a great amount of drama in this film. Yes...the film even manages to be touching at many points. The audience gets to know the six Americans and feels bad for what they are going through. The direction is pitch perfect in the way that it shows us every little detail without making them too obvious. There is significant stuff going on in the background but the audience does not realize this because we are too busy being invested in the great stuff at the front of the screen. As well, the 70's retro look of the film is impressively cool and accurate.
Affleck is a director to look out for every time and Argo is further proof to back me up. It is intense, funny, sad, touching and engaging all at the same time. The film never lets itself down even if it does lose its way a few times. Either way-go out and see it this weekend...there is no way you will regret making that choice.
(4 and 1/2 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated R for language and some violent images)
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