It is lots of fun, and I enjoyed it immensely. But it is Hollywood all the way — replete with scenes so preposterous you can only laugh at them. In places, the movie is just plain stupid, and Affleck, a good-enough director, resorts to one hoary device after another to keep the film going.
Is Argo movie true story?
Ex-CIA agent Tony Mendez, who inspired the Oscar-winning film Argo, has died at the age of 78. He is best known for smuggling six American diplomats out of Iran during the 1979-81 hostage crisis by posing as a film producer. Ben Affleck, who directed Argo and starred as Mendez, called him “a true American hero”.
What is the storyline of Argo?
On Nov. 4, 1979, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, Iran, taking 66 American hostages. Amid the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge with the Canadian ambassador. Knowing that it’s just a matter of time before the refugees are found and likely executed, the U.S. government calls on extractor Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) to rescue them. Mendez’s plan is to pose as a Hollywood producer scouting locations in Iran and train the refugees to act as his “film” crew.
Argo/Film synopsis
Is Argo a good film?
This is a watchable, enjoyable film, with some hilarious and nail-biting moments, but it sets its face disconcertingly against satire and mischief with a final lurch into schmaltzy, liberal-patriot piety.
What is the Canadian connection to the movie Argo?
Canadian Caper helps Americans escape Tehran agent played by Affleck is credited with saving six American diplomats stationed in Iran, who fled the U.S. embassy in 1980 during a hostage taking in the middle of the Iranian revolution. Argo didn’t exactly rob Canada of its credit.
What happened to the rest of the hostages in Argo?
The remaining 52 hostages were held until January 1981, up to 444 days of captivity. The hostages were initially held at the embassy, but after the takers took the cue from the failed rescue mission, the detainees were scattered around Iran in order to make a single rescue attempt impossible.
Did Argo work?
Argo earned $136 million in the United States, and $96.3 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $232.3 million. The film debuted in second place with $19.5 million, then made $16.4 million in its sophomore weekend. In its third weekend the film made $12.1 million, finishing in first place.
Can children watch Argo?
Adults only. Smart, mature legal thriller isn’t meant for kids. Caper movie mixes clichés, brutal violence.
Did they film Argo in Iran?
Although most of the movie takes place in Tehran, Iran, not a single minute of film was shot there. Other than location shoots in Istanbul, Turkey and Washington, D.C., the majority of Argo was filmed in Los Angeles.
Who is Roger Ebert and why is he famous?
Hooray for Hollywood. Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.
Why is Ben Affleck so good in Argo?
Affleck is brilliant at choreographing the step-by-step risks that the team take in exiting Tehran, and “Argo” has cliff-hanging moments when the whole delicate plan seems likely to split at the seams. The craft in this film is rare.
What is the story of Fargo about?
“Fargo” begins with an absolutely dead-on familiarity with smalltown life in the frigid winter landscape of Minnesota and North Dakota. Then it rotates its story through satire, comedy, suspense and violence, until it emerges as one of the best films I’ve ever seen.
Where was Fargo filmed?
It has been filmed on location, there and in North Dakota, by the Coen brothers, Ethan and Joel, who grew up in St. Louis Park, a suburb of Minneapolis, and went on to make good movies like “ Blood Simple ,” “ Miller’s Crossing ” and “ Barton Fink ,” but never before a film as wonderful as this one, shot in their own backyard.
