Argo

In the height of the Iranian revolution many followers of the Ayatollah Khomeini rallied against sources of Westernizing influence; in particular the U.S. was targeted for connections to and harboring the Shah, the outgoing leader of Iran. In November of 1979, protesters stormed the U.S. embassy taking its occupants hostage– but six state department workers managed to escape. Hiding in the Canadian Ambassador’s home things looked bleak, if caught they would face almost certain death; and, with pressures mounting Canada was loosing a foothold in the country as well. It was up to the CIA to figure out a way to free the state department workers. Agent Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) dreamt up the only cover story that stood a chance, create a fake movie and tell Khomeini’s people the six were a film crew scouting locations for this production. With his connections to Hollywood, Lester Siegel and John Chambers (Alan Arkin and John Goodman), Mendez got the ball rolling, but would he have enough momentum to get the workers out of the country in one piece?
Based on true events, details of which were only released during the Clinton administration, the potential for a screenplay is rich and downright unbelievable but riveting none the less. Proving his skills as a director are truly of merit Ben Affleck hits gold again with this suspense/thriller/political/historical gem. Staying true to historical detail Affleck and crew have painstakingly re-created scenarios and scenes to a fault and a delight. Compelling history that’s just as relevant now as unrest in the Middle East continues, despite the fact the players have changed. Acting from the ensemble feels natural and right in the wheelhouse of all involved. This one’s a winner through and through, and be sure to sit through the credits to continue the important history lesson to be learned here. Argo is rated R.