It’s
rare that a movie based on actual events thrills you to the extent that ‘Argo’
does, based on actual events during 1979-80, when American Embassy in Iran was
taken hostage by Iranian public and Government, ‘Argo’ is a movie about a
secret operation that Canadian Government and CIA carried out to rescue six
members of American Embassy. Although the movie takes a lot of cinematic
liberties and diverts from actual events, but the end product is enjoyable.
When
Shah of Iran (someone who has ruled and terrorized Iran for decades is
overthrown by public) takes shelter in USA. Iranian people becomes furious
because they want to bring Shah to justice, but as USA declines to send back
Shah, the people of Iran retaliates by taking over the American Embassy in Tehran
(Capital of Iran), and take’s hostage everybody inside, however unknown to them
six Embassy staff members have left the building and went into hiding in
Canadian Ambassadors house. CIA starts preparing a rescue operations, but they
are out of clue how to pull this off, its then when Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck)
comes up with a seemingly crazy plan to rescue these 6 people, the plan is to go
to Iran on pretense of shooting a Sci-fi movie, and returning with the 6 people
by calling them members of the shooting staff. As idiotic it may sound on paper this actually
happened.
What
follows is the execution of the plan by CIA with cooperation with Canadian
Government. However the narration and execution of the movie keeps your heart
beat at a high speed; even I could barely sit during the last 20 minutes of the
movie. The director has done an excellent job.
The
movie may look tense from outside, but is shot in a way of a thriller. Ben
Affleck, who is the lead artist and director as well, delivers a balanced performance,
supporting cast has done a good job as well, and you may be amazed by the
resemblance of star cast with the actual people who were part of the operation.
The
movie makes a good watch, it’s an intelligent movie, watch it and enjoy it.
Rating
****.
Argo is really a top notch thriller. I was smitten in the last 20-25 minutes despite knowing the ending. Kudos to Affleck. He is really talented fellow behind the camera. Gone Baby Gone, The Town & argo.... Gr8 3 movies. I have seen a movie after long time that shows positive & innovative aspects of CIA. Its a director's movie all along. Shame on Academy Awards to give a miss to Affleck in best director nominations.
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