Though he is usually ridiculed for
his work in front of the camera (a criticism I do not share), after the success
of titles like 2007’s Gone Baby Gone
and 2010’s The Town, few can deny Ben
Affleck’s talent once he sits in the director’s chair. Needless to say, because of that reputation,
buzz went through the roof once Argo was
first announced; and with an insanely strong supporting cast, it look like
Affleck was set to make a mark on the upcoming Awards Season. While the pedigree of those involved with
this project was more than enough to guarantee my attendance, it certainly didn’t
hurt that Argo also boasted one of
the most exciting trailers that I have seen in some time. Teasing a mix between irreverent comedy and
dramatic thriller, this newest October release would appeal to a wide variety
of audiences; and Aerosmith music playing in the background virtually
guaranteed the film a place in all of our memory banks. Based on early critical reviews, it looked
like Affleck was able to hit the mark yet again, so I couldn’t wait to see what
his newest passion project had to offer.
Overall
Recommendation: Very High
Clever, well-acted, and remarkably
tense, Argo is nothing short of a
brilliant film that will have you on the edge of your seat and keep you utterly
mesmerized throughout the running time. From
an acting standpoint, it is the supporting characters that represent the
scene-stealers, the most prevalent being Bryan Cranston; but don’t feel too bad
for Affleck, his focus behind the camera was obvious. Though the film is based on historical
events, Affleck is able to construct a level of intensity surrounding the
central conflict, building levels of fear that will keep your heart pumping
during the film’s climactic ending; make no mistake, this accolade represents a
remarkable achievement for any filmmaker.
Add-in the smart writing that blends-in razor-sharp and self-depreciating
humor related to the Hollywood studio system, and Argo represents one of the most balanced films to hit theaters in
years. True, there are a number of
critical heavyweights coming down the pipe in the next few months, but if you
want to get the jump on the project sure to earn some trophies down the road,
then you cannot afford to miss Argo.
