Argo...A Winning Film Script to the Rescue

Argo 
 

Starring: Ben Affleck
Directed by: Ben Affleck
Produced by: George Clooney
Written by: Chris Terrio (screenplay), Tony Mendez (book)
Genre: Drama, History, Thriller
Released: August 2012




Synopsis:

The actual account during the 1980 revolutionary period in Iran, when a top-secret cooperative CIA-Canadian plot unfolds. Enter  Agent Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck), who is confident he can orchestrate the return of six fugitive American diplomats who have been sheltered by Canadians out of the public eye and political chaos.  But he needs a plan-  one that involves a clever, creative twist of the film industry.                     

Trailer

The movie begins with a riveting opening sequence, detailing the US embassy in Tehran under seige. As protestors gain increasing strength with their violent attacks, the staff inside the US embassy are frantic, trying to destroy computer hard-drives, and the piles of  sensitive CIA material, and are in panic mode to vacate the building. Six Americans are able to sneak out, and seek refuge at the Canadian Ambassador's residence. The house guests'  safety is at risk with sporadic door to door searches conducted by Iranian police, and everyone knows  they can't stay hidden forever.

Ben Affleck as Tony Mendez, the CIA's designate for exporting personnel, is handpicked to somehow devise a plan to bring the US embassy hostages back to their homeland. There are a few far-fetched schemes proposed to yank the hiders, but no CIA proposals seem sensible and safe. That is until  Mendez  creatively suggests forming a Canadian production company who requires Iran as a filming location  for a movie. He is confident this is the plan, and presents the scheme that he can convince the Americans to adopt Canadian identifies as a film crew.

After flying to the West Coast, Tony meets with CIA-connected makeup artist John Chambers (John Goodman) and a quirky producer Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin) who decide the script should be a Star Wars type story; a sci-fi entitled "Argo."  

Affleck does not disappoint with his very serious lives-at-stake portrayal, and yet all the while trying to be both a new identities-coach with a life mission master plan to complete.

Adrenaline takes over in the latter film sequences, and easily sets you at the edge of your seat. The chaotic atmosphere of Tehran during this hostage crisis include the formidable, manic police who successfully instill a fear that envelopes the audience in a unrelenting tension, extremely tight,  exuding only tufts of hope for the hostages.

Ben Affleck has received an impressive collection of awards to date for both his direction of this drama, and for the film itself. They include; BAFTA awards, Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards, and the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture-Drama, and Best Director among other nominations yet to be announced in 2013. Although he has been snubbed for his directorial work for a nomination in the Best Director category in the upcoming 2013 Oscars,  the film has been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture. Ben has an excellent opportunity to win the top prize against frontrunners Lincoln,  Zero Dark Thirty, and Silver Linings Playbook.