Deserving of its Oscar (mostly)

Rating: 8/10 (25 February 2013)

First off, I am an American who is half Iranian, so I may have experienced a few different emotions from those watching it with me. This is mainly due to the fact that Iranians are the clear antagonists in this plot, so I felt a little conflicting rooting against them as you would, say, against the Joker in The Dark Knight. You really just want to see Batman punch him in the face a few times.
However, this is part of why the film accomplishes its goal quite well. If you go into this movie expecting a completely historically accurate film down to every little detail that presents a completely neutral viewpoint, then you will be thoroughly disappointed, because that is not its purpose. Plenty of scenes replicate actual photos and video footage from the Hostage Crisis, though of course there is a small amount of theatrical liberty taken with the storyline. I didn't feel like this took anything away from the film's credibility, etc.
In this movie it's a diplomacy battle of America vs. Iran, and shortly after the opening historic background sequence you will be taking sides with America for the next 2 hours. As an Iranian I didn't have a problem with this; it's part of the film! If you don't understand that and are going to take huge issue with this kind of U.S. viewpoint, then you should watch a documentary instead. Another review mentioned the lack of subtitles for the Iranians... this is a typical strategy in film to create both suspense and mystery. It's not demeaning to Iranians. I thought it was appropriate and also necessary. Again, to contradict another review, not all the Iranians are portrayed as angry.(Small spoiler maybe): Sahar the housekeeper's daughter is subtly a huge part of the operation succeeding and in the Bazaar scene several Iranians try to protect the "Canadians" from the angry people in the street.
Although the directing was fantastic (how Affleck did not get nominated by the Academy is beyond me), I thought Affleck's acting was a bit dry, which is the main reason I give Argo an 8 instead of 9. If not for one scene with him on the phone with his son, I wouldn't have thought he had a soul. He was much better in The Town, his other self-directed starring role. Arkin was hilariously brilliant again (see: Little Miss Sunshine and Glengarry Glen Ross) and Cranston was excellent as always. I also was impressed with the selection of the actors to play the 6 escaped Americans. Their emotions and personalities were quite convincing.
Overall, an excellent film worth watching, regardless of whether you have any previous knowledge of the 1979-1981 Crisis. It does a fine job presenting what is one of the most important intelligence missions and government cooperations in American history while keeping you on the edge of your seat and sometimes wrenching your heart. Could have given a little more credit to the Canadians, but if you are one of those Americans that just think Canada is the United States' syrup-filled hat, your mind will surely be changed.