Argo review

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This movie is based on a true incident about the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. In a time of great animosity against the United States in Tehran, an Iranian mob attacks the US embassy in Iran and takes about 50 prominent diplomats as hostage. Six of them somehow escape the building and manage to sneak into the Canadian ambassador’s house. As the outside environment gets extremely hostile, these six stay indoors.

The reason for the Iranians’ bitter hatred against the US is due to USA’s support for the recently deposed Shah of Iran (Mohammad Reza Pahlavi), who was a brutal dictator.

The State Department responds to this situation and decides to do an exfil of these six. (Extraction or exfiltration). Tony Mendez, an exfil specialist and a CIA operative heads this mission to bring these six back home.

He uses the cover of a Canadian film production crew who are scouting for exotic Iranian locations for a sci-fi movie, and somehow manages to get into Iran. Tony takes the help of a makeup artist and a film producer. How he goes about rescuing these six and how they return home is told in a really gripping and thrilling manner.    

The film uses a lot of real life reference to make it more life-like. The original incident has been done full justice thanks to this authentic effort. In the end credits, we are shown pictures of the actual characters and President Jimmy Carter’s speech about this crisis is also played in the end credits.

The film is really gripping and thrilling. It falls under the political thriller genre perfectly. The witty dialogues in the movie are thanks to Alan Arkin’s inimitable style of delivery. ‘Argo fuck yourself’ is one such classic that is repeated many times in the movie.

The soundtrack adds to the tension particularly towards the end, during the airport sequence when Tony escapes with the six amid tight scrutiny and security. The shots of Iran’s busy streets and the bustling energy add to the involvement of the audience with the movie.

Oscar winning Alan Arkin is the most entertaining presence in the movie. Ben Affleck means business throughout the movie and looks brooding with his shaggy style. Director Ben Affleck snatches the cake from actor Ben Affleck. Hats off to him and George Clooney for producing this movie based on a real incident. 

FINAL WORD: It’s thrilling, gripping and engaging all the way. An uplifting experience, Argo is.