ARGO

Drama

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS

Ben Affleck: CIA Specialist Tony Mendez

Bryan Cranston: his supervisor Jack O’Donnell

John Goodman: Hollywood make-up artist John Chambers

Alan Arkin: Hollywood film producer Lester Siegal

Victor Garber: Canadian ambassador Ken Taylor

REVIEW

A slightly altered version of the events that took place in Iran with the taking hostage of American diplomatic personnel in 1978 does not diminish the impact of the rescue attempt. Careful attention to period detail (except for a couple of instances as noted below) and great acting bring the events to life. Even knowing the real outcome, the tension is palpable as you can never be sure how Hollywood will handle the facts. Riveting stuff.

CLASSIFICATION

 for language and some violent images.

FOR NITPICKERS ONLY

• The famous Hollywood sign was erected in 1923 to advertise a new housing development and was never intended to be permanent. It deteriorated so badly that in November 1978 it had to be completely refurbished, a year before these events took place.

                                       

SPOILER ALERT FOR THESE NITPICKS

• Depending upon the load, winds, field elevation and altimeter setting the takeoff speed of a 747 is between 275 and 335 kilometres per hour which is much faster than any normal road vehicle.
• As seen on Mythbusters, the rearward blast from a jet engine is powerful enough to topple over a school bus so the three pursuit vehicles directly behind engine number 4 could not last very long in that position.

P.S.

Ben Affleck is an exception to Ralph’s Rule of Redundancy which states:

 “Any film where one person takes on more than 2 key positions (Affleck is Producer, Director and Star) has a major shortcoming: the absence of independent critical judgement that results in something less than it might have been.”