ARGO: A Fake Movie, A Real Thriller

“So you wanna come to Hollywood and act like a big shot without actually doing anything?”

“Yeah.”

“You'll fit right in.”

- John Chambers (John Goodman) and Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) Argo (2012)

In the early 2000s, Ben Affleck was at an all-time high. His love life had went from the disastrous breakup between him and Jennifer Lopez to the miraculous marriage between him and Jennifer Garner. The tabloids couldn’t get enough of him. Unfortunately, the movie theaters had too much of him. Movies like Paycheck, Jersey Girl (directed by his friend Kevin Smith) and Surviving Christmas were massive failures. Then, he began co-writing a new film, Gone Baby Gone in 2007. He made it his directorial debut. Critics cheered and praised his work. 

Affleck said of his newfound career: “Directing a movie was really instinctive for me. I learned a lot about writing, and a lot about acting, and I learned how all the pieces fit together from the inside. That was really valuable. It was a good thing.” He continued with directing with 2010’s The Town. Critics were again impressed and the box office reflected the goodwill. The following year, Affleck began a new film based on a previously untold story set during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. Filmmakers making a film about not making a film.

In 1979, Iran was in a state of political turmoil. Islamic radicals stormed the U.S. Embassy and took hostages. However, six Americans managed to escape out a back door and take refuge at the Canadian ambassador’s house. The CIA began putting together plans to getting them out. Tony Mendez (Affleck), an “exfiltration” expert, threw out his superior’s ridiculous ideas and came up with an even more ridiculous idea. Inspired by his son, Mendez explained that he would go to Iran, give the Americans the guise of a Canadian film crew of a low-budget science-fiction film and sneak them back home.

In order to legitimize the plan, Mendez met with Oscar-winning makeup artist and CIA contact John Chambers (John Goodman) and Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin), Hollywood producer. Together they came up with Argo, a clear Star Wars rip-off. Something that needed an exotic location to film in: Iran. After the preparations, Mendez flew to Tehran to meet with the Americans. They react initially with distrust and skepticism. However, Mendez’s resolve to get them home wins them over and they participate in his false charade. What happened then was a story that could only be told in a real movie about a fake movie.

This normally isn’t my kind of film, but the Hollywood angle, of course, attracted me. It’s also my favorite part of the film. Goodman and Arkin are the clear MVPs of the film, playing the comic relief in between the harrowing political drama in Iran. Speaking of which, why hasn’t anyone made a film about the life of John Chambers, ala Confessions of a Dangerous Mind? The guy was in charge of creating the makeup for the Apes of the Planet of the Apes franchise and the ears of Mr. Spock. Yet, he also was one of the CIA’s best civilian contacts. That is a wonderful contradiction that could play out in a feature. Maybe someday.

Affleck is a great director, paying great homage in the details to the time period; specifically beginning the film with the retro Warner Bros. logo from the ‘70s. He shot on film and blew up the images to create graininess. That kind of respect to the old school isn’t found in most young Hollywood directors. However, I would argue it came at a cost. Affleck as an actor in this film seems relatively bland. He legitimately has no emotion other than determination. Even when he’s cursing out his boss (Bryan Cranston), he’s just so calm and deliberate and not shouting or screaming. I can understand that it’s tough to be directing a shot and then step in front of the camera and play a scene. Leonard Nimoy described his role as director/actor in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home as “wrenching”. Affleck has said he’ll never direct a film that he won’t star in. I’d humbly ask him to reconsider that decision.

Still, Argo is a compelling film that throws out the politics when it comes to both Hollywood and international governments and simply tells a story of an unbelievable rescue mission in the middle of a tense situation. The history is given in a very respectable way for those audience members who may not be aware of it, which is very helpful.  It’s an edge-of-your-seat thriller with some humorous elements. It’ll be a definite contender for Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor.