Dear Friends,
When I saw that a film starring and directed by Ben Affleck was being nominated for Best Picture, I was dubious. I mean, the man has made some bad choices in the past, what with Gigli, and some other questionable choices. I mean, okay that was a long time ago, but you know that old chestnut about being burned once or twice… It’s safe to say, I was reluctant. Add to that my deeply entrenched belief that this was going to be a war film (someone really ought to stage an intervention at this point…heaven only knows how many good films I’ve missed in the past due to my irrational labeling) and you had one reluctant filmgoer.
So I sit down, with my popcorn, and the movie begins. It only takes me a few moments to discover the embarrassing truth- not only is this not a war movie in any way, but it’s also one I’m going to like. (I don’t know why I admit these things on the Internet.) And I kept watching it, and I didn’t so much like the popcorn, but I really enjoyed this film! It’s not my favorite out of all the Best Picture nominations, but it was good! So let me just go out there, right now, and say, “Ben, you’ve made some mistakes in the past, but perhaps we (being the American public) have misjudged you a little. I apologize, and will try not to judge your films so harshly in the future.”
Argo is the “based in truth” Hollywood retelling of the “SIX.” I put that in all caps because that’s what it sounds like when everyone refers to these people in hushed undertones in the film. The SIX are a group of six Americans who are attempting to get out of Iran during the Iran Hostage Crisis of 1979-1980. For those of you who are not well versed in history (don’t worry, I didn’t know about this either), let me give you the cliff notes version. In 1979, the American Embassy in Iran was stormed by militants (I feel dirty just using that word!) in retaliation for the shelter that the US provided to the recently deposed Shah. Over 50 employees were taken as hostages, except for the SIX, who are able to escape and flee to the Canadian ambassador. They then wait, and wait, and wait for someone to let them out of the country. Here’s where Ben Affleck and his amazing 70’s beard show up to save the day. The officials back home waste precious time arguing about the best and least suspicious way to get the SIX out of Iran, and Affleck, playing Tony Mendez, comes up with the brilliant idea of posing as a film crew, searching for a great place to make a new sci-fi flick. Presto chango, this is the best idea ever, and off Affleck goes to find the SIX (I just enjoy typing that) and rescue them.
Should you see this movie? Oh without a doubt! It keeps you on the edge of your seat for the entire time. Especially if you, like me, don’t know anything about this foreign incident. Even if you are familiar with this event in our history, you will probably still feel the suspense, even if it’s just a little. Truthfully, the acting did not stand out for me. Ben seemed to be playing himself, so that worked out just fine. The SIX were most awesome because they looked so much like the real, original SIX they were portraying. You get to see the portraits of the actual people and the actors side by side in the credits. That might have been the best part. There seemed to be the typical Hollywood team personalities within the SIX, mostly I’m referring to that one guy who doesn’t think anything they’re doing is going to work, and refuses to cooperate until the last minute. There’s the 70’s hottie, and there’s the girl who’s really scared. The film isn’t really about them, if you know what I mean. It’s more about the efforts to rescue them, so I didn’t really notice how great the acting was. But the best part, by far, was John Goodman. I had no idea he was in the film. Had I known that, I would have known it wasn’t a war film. He played himself, again, and was wonderful, again, and I was happy, again. Everyone else seemed fine-I believed the CIA agents worked for the CIA, and I thought the Canadians seemed a little less Canadian sounding than they could have, but that’s a very small thing. Overall, all elements were just as they should have been for a historically based suspenseful drama. I’m not sure it’s in the same league as everything else I’ve seen thus far, but it was entertaining.
When you go and see the film, the most important thing to remember is, even though this was based on true events, you will find that the creative team took a bit of creative liberties. This would be a great film to study if you’re in a class looking at film adaptation, or adaptation in general, or if you’re ever in a place where you would discuss artistic license. There were a number of officials who were quite offended by this film, and Affleck had to make a number of statements that go along the lines of, “although you’re completely right about everything you’ve said, I am an artist and I did what I wanted.” In any class where you might talk about whether or not this is the right attitude to take, I would recommend adding Argo to your curriculum. It would also be a great film for a government or US History class, given that it’s about global relations and diplomacy.
Do you agree that it’s okay for Affleck and Co. to rewrite history for our entertainment? In order for you to know, you have to go see this movie! Check it out, and then tell us what you think in the comments below.
Happy Oscar Sunday, friends!
Live, Love, Learn,