Argo

Ben Affleck’s Argo took the Golden Globe for Best Picture – Drama, and may yet take out Best Picture at the Oscars.  It is the true story of how six American diplomats were rescued by a CIA operative from Iran during the 1979 hostage crisis.  Here is truly a case of fact being stranger than fiction.  I’m pretty sure that a proposal for a movie with a plot as outlandish as this would be rejected as too unrealistic.  The rescue was pulled off by pretending that the six diplomats were in Iran to make a movie.  To be precise, a science fiction movie called Argo, which required on location filming in a Middle Eastern dessert environment.  The setting up of the fake movie production in Hollywood involving a real make-up artist (John Goodman) and film producer (Alan Arkin) is a lot of fun.  Alan Arkin as the acerbic, world weary producer, is a particular delight.   The action then shifts to Iran and the film takes on a much more serious tone.  The suspense of the final escape is almost unbearable.  Another delight for me was to see Bryan Cranston in a major role.  He richly deserves an expanded career and recognition following his excellent work in Breaking Bad.  This is a terrific, gripping movie and confirms Ben Affleck as a great film maker – here he directs, stars and produces.