A historically inaccurate propaganda film

Rating: 4/10 (17 March 2013)

Argo is a dramatic period piece recounting of the events that unfolded in the middle eastern country of Iran after the Shah was exiled and his regime overthrown in 1980. The United States Embassy was over run by protesters in support of Ayatollah Khomeini and the staff is taken hostage in exchange for the return of the Shah to face justice for crimes against his people. Ben Affleck portrays Tony Mendez, an expert CIA operative that specializes in getting people out of these situations. The action begins after a brief history lesson that gives us the context for these characters and helps to establish characterization of the protesters through external action in contrast to the internal action that the embassy staff are experiencing. The theme of this movie is one evocative of patriotism, and indeed, it's departure from the factual and historical truths provide a very compelling protagonist American hero, however , history tells us that the Canadian government actually did a majority of the clandestine operations that led to the escape of 6 American Embassy employees stuck in Iran after escaping the Embassy. The story is depicted in chronological order and evokes maximum emotional response, but begins in a very brief exposition and directly into the complication, with the white knuckle climax of the escape through 3 separate check points in the airport with fake credentials. John Goodman and Bryan Cranston lend stellar performances to this film which make it a compelling story. I found myself very thrilled by the tension and the symbolism of revolution being used at such a contentious time in our history being recounted at a time when our relationship with Iran is currently tentative at best. The musical score for this movie is well produced and by Mickey Mousing the suspense creates a crucial element in the narrative, adding just the right amount of drama and tension through the climatic scenes. The film is wrought with irony and may be a fine example of propaganda by Hollywood being adopted for use by governments to wage a psychological and ideological war against Iran. The theme depicts the moral implication of spying agencies running covert operations on foreign soil, and the social problems that are caused by geopolitical manipulation of governments or people through politics in the struggle for human dignity. The Iranian people had been through so much they had become overwhelmed with American agencies lying and supporting the tyrant that had ruled the country for the past 30 years. The cinematography is excellent in its portrayal of the era. The consistency throughout the film is coherent and lends itself to effective storytelling, allowing the audience to suspend disbelief and travel back to a place in time where Jimmy Carter was president and 20 hostages spent 444 days held captive for the sake of politics that don't have citizens best interests, but interests of those who rule them in mind.