Argo is a class act.
Part caper thriller, part escape movie, this pacy dramatization of the 1980 joint CIA-Canadian secret operation to extract six fugitive American diplomatic personnel out of revolutionary Iran is a meticulously staged and sympathetically acted period piece which boasts a wry script and strangely several laugh out loud moments.It's well worth going to see.
Ben Afflick ( the director and star) is on sparkling form as is the old scene stealer Alan Arkin (above) who turns up as foul mouthed has-been Hollywood producer. His performance is worthy of a best supporting actor Oscar any day.
All in all it's an intelligent , tense and entertaining movie
8.5/10
Another one I'll see because of your review.
ReplyDeleteJane x
This is one movie I would love to see. I didn't realize the Canadians were involved?
ReplyDeleteGill
Definitely tense, John. I sat on the edge of my seat for two hours (except for the welcome portions of comic relief). Absolutely worth seeing.
ReplyDeleteArgo is definitely on my movie list! Reminds me of working for EDS (Electronic Data Systems) during that time. A couple of our employees got caught up in the Iranian chaos and were imprisoned.
ReplyDeleteRoss Perot(the CEO and once ran for US president) put together a team of employees with military background and sent them to Iran where they successfully rescued our employees - the story is chronicled in 'On Wings of Eagles', a novel by Ken Follett and a TV-miniseries. For years, we used to say that our EDS employee cards were valuable because if we ever got into trouble, Ross would come to bust us out!
I'm looking forward to seeing Argo!
John, your movie reviews rival any that i read in the papers.
ReplyDeleteI did a double take when Anne mentioned EDS. In my banking days, we worked with some of those folks.
I LOVED Argo. Such a great movie. So glad you enjoyed it as much as I did.
ReplyDeleteI remember the entire event. The movie got a lot of flack from some Canadian reviewers because the Canadian role wasn't given enough prominence.
ReplyDeleteKen Taylor was regarded as a national hero at the time. The event made his career.
http://www.international.gc.ca/history-histoire/people-gens/ken_taylor.aspx?lang=eng&view=d
Sounds like a good movie, but from what I read in the newspaper, Canadian reviewers weren't the only ones giving it some flack. The Brits and New Zealanders weren't happy, either, because their assistance during that time was treated as being non-existent in the film, when they did, in fact, help.
ReplyDeleteJohn,
ReplyDeleteLove your reviews but ding-dong...you're killin' me here! I've been watching The Walking Dead - nonstop for an entire week. I can now officially say I'm zombie apocalypse ready.
Kelly in Cali (Hol-la!)
I loved this movie. Even though I knew the ending, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.
ReplyDeleteAs good as Alan Arkin was in this film, there is no way he will get the Academy Award. That will go to Tommy Lee Jones for his role in Lincoln. As a matter of fact, the whole cast of Lincoln should win an award. There is little action and a lot of talking but it is a marvelous movie. Argo, though, was my second favorite this year.
Absolutely, J.G. I've yet to hear of anyone who's seen it who did NOT like it.
ReplyDeleteI've started to compile my Top 10 of 2012 and, unless the very unlikely happens, it'll still be there when I post it in six weeks time.
I must see this as I just love Alan Arkin ! Have you seen Little Miss Sunshine ? - he is marvelous in it !
ReplyDeleteKen Taylor had words with Ben Affleck over it!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1267937--argo-film-gives-former-canadian-ambassador-ken-taylor-chance-to-set-the-record-straight
As much as I enjoy Arkin as an actor, I enjoyed his book, The Clearing, even more.
ReplyDeleteIf this movie comes near me, I'd like to see it; sounds like a great movie.
Oh yeah, I look forward to seeing that one!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing this one...glad you've given it the thumbs up...
ReplyDeleteLoved this film! Best one for AAAAAAAGGGGGESSS :)
ReplyDelete