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During most of my life, Ben Affleck has been used as a punchline. I remember Conan O'Brien having a scetch where they once pulled out a big box containing, as they put it, unsold tickets to Ben Affleck movies. This was long before his directing career, and I believe such a joke won't be able to be told in a few years, because the term "Ben Affleck movies" has changed significantly in a fairly short period of time. Back then, Pearl harbor and Daredevil were Ben Affleck movies. Today, The town and Argo are Ben Affleck movies. Allow me to explain a little.
In 2007, Ben Affleck had his true directing debute with Gone baby gone. While critically acclaimed, it did not preform well at the box-office. One cannot judge a director fairly simply from a single movie, so Gone baby gone might have been concidered beginner's luck. His next movie, The town, was released in 2010, recieved much critical acclaim, and did a lot better at the box-office, earning over 100.000 USD, a huge improvement over Gone baby gone's 30.000 USD. Around now, the name Ben Affleck was starting to get a lot more respect than ever before. A lot of people I have talked to this year was suprised to hear that The town was, in fact, directed by that bore from Daredevil. I have a feeling that 5 years from now, people will be suprised that the same guy who directed The town was in Pearl harbor long before he started directing.
This brings us to 2012, and his new movie, Argo, hit the swedish theaters this very day. As they say; third time's the charm. This is no longer beginner's luck, this is skill. I can say, after watching all three of Ben Affleck's movies, that this man, if he continues to do as good as this, might be the next Martin Scorsese, and I mean that in the best way imaginable. This man really knows how thrillers are supposed to work, and moviemaking as a whole. While I don't really aprove of how he shows himself shirtless and having the camera spin around at certain times, this man might be somewhat of a genious. I am truely suprised by Ben Affleck's talent.
Honestly, I don't want to talk about the plot of the movie too much, as I usually walk into movies only knowing their titles and if they are good or not. To give a short synopsis to those who might be genuinely curious, though (if you've read this far, this might apply to you), the movie is loosely based on the 1979 hostage crisis in the US embassy in Iran. Tony Mendez, Ben Affleck's character, who works for the CIA comes up with a plan to save six of the hostages who have escaped from captivity. What is this plan? Watch the movie to find out!
Keep in mind, though, as at one point in this movie does it become somwhat of a "movie about movies", but I didn't find it too distracting. Just don't go into this movie expecting a 100% deadly serious thriller, as this movie does have its lighthearted moments. Some might find it distracting, but like I've stated, I didn't.
One more thing to remember is that this movie is, indeed, LOOSELY based on true events. A lot of the scenes, and sometimes even characters, in this movie were made up and history is not 100% represented well. For example, Canada's involvement is mostly kept to a minimum, as this movie focuses on CIA's role. A note about this is before the end credits, so it doesn't come off as disrespectful to me. It also might be hard for actual Iranians to watch, as this movie focuses on a dark chapter in that country's history, and it may and may not come off as portraying that country incorrectly. I do not think this was done with ill-will against any culture or country, as I do not think Affleck encourage hate against middle eastern countries, only to give his version of a certain dark event that happened. For one thing, if Affleck would make a movie of the Norrmalmstorg robbery (where the term Stockholm syndrome was coined) next, I doubt I would assume he saw all Swedes as robberers or people who always defend people who do them harm. Remember that this is a movie, it needs to have dramatic tension and a lot of other stuff real life might not have. While it is not always accurate to history, I doubt it was done with bad intent, as it seems to be aware that it takes liberties and admits it fully.
In spite if its shortcommings, this is a pretty damn good film, Apart from a few shorts, mostly involving spinning cameras (seriously, Hollywood, kill that fad off!), it's shot beautifully. The music, while not spectacular, is pretty good, and oftenly sets the mood of the scenes well. Most notably, the acting is very solid, as the cast gives an all-around good preformance, although maybe not Oscar-worthy. Ben Affleck, much like in The town, has probably realised that if your acting works in a particular way, make movies where that acting fits that movie's universe. He, much like Keanu Reeves, has been known not to show too much emotions. In movies like this, this works to his favor, gives his role. Calm, collective and intelligent. People who have seen this movie and The town knows what I'm talking about. Oscar-winning Alan Arkin also does a really good job, even though his character was made up for the movie.
All in all, this movie is really good, and well deserving of your money. It is currectly running in theaters, so go watch if you're a fan of thrillers or overall good movies. If this is not in theaters when you read this, buy this movie! I wholeheartedly recommend it!
Argo fuck yourself.
Summary: Ben Affleck has proven to be one of Hollywood's currently best directors, and this movie shows exactly why. Though not always historically accurate, it's an exciting movie well acted, well shot, well deserving of your time and money. Buy this movie!
Grade: 8/10
