Review of Argo (Warner Bros Pics)

I agreed to review Argo for Warner Bros knowing full well it's not really my type of film - after all, there's no Ryan Gosling, no smutty juvenile jokes and certainly no carefully choreographed dance number, therefore it was never going to be my first pick of film. However I knew that it would be up Mr M's street, so thought it was worth a watch.

Of course, in the run up to receiving the DVD, I'd heard lots about the film.  I knew that the film had been nominated for seven academy awards and also knew that it had managed to bag a few of these amongst others; namely BAFTA's for Best Film, Best Direction and Best Editing. Golden Gloves for Best Motion Picture - Drama and Best Director - Motion Picture and of course the Academy Awards for best Achievement in Editing, Best Writing and the coveted Best Motion Picture of the Year. I was also aware that as well as starring in the movie, Ben Affleck also directed it.  Outside of that I didn't know much else.

Argo chronicles a covert operation to rescue six Americans during the Iran hostage crisis in 1979. The film is based on real events focusing on the role that the CIA and Hollywood played in the operation. The six Americans managed to slip away during the chaos and a plan was conceived to get them safely out of the country.  The rescue plot is pretty far-fetched and it we didn't know it was based on something that really happened, well I think I'd find it pretty unbelievable!  I was only born in 1979 and had no prior knowledge of this hostage event so found the background to it quite interesting.

Even for me who doesn't normally like heavy films like this I found it quite a gripping thriller with the tension building throughout, I did actually feel a little on the edge of my seat at times! To my great pleasure, I found there were also some more light-hearted moments during the film. 

The film is clearly made for and directed towards the US market, and having since read up more about the hostage crisis that becomes more apparent due to the slur against the Brits - which seems a bit of artistic license since apparently the British embassy did initially help the hostages, but that's Hollywood for you!

Ben Affleck certainly went up a few notches in my estimation - I'd always just thought of him as a bit of a dull, pretty boy actor but have to hand it to him - the directing was good and attention to detail for the period was excellent.  I'm excited to see what Ben Affleck does in the future as I think he's got some great things ahead of him.

All-in-all, I enjoyed watching Argo. It's probably still not really my type of film, however it's very well constructed, has a great script and is beautifully edited - I'd say it was definitely worthy of some of those awards it won!

Argo is available to buy from Amazon now.

With thanks to Warner Bros Pics.