An International History Lesson - Argo Will Endure Among Movie Classics

Rating: 10/10 (5 February 2013)

This story is bigger than the movie. An analysis of the movie Argo must reflect on the history.
Giving Ben Affleck's hit movie a 10 star rating has more to do with my prediction about the endurance of the now classic film than with the historic quality of the movie. This is more than a popular movie with a suspenseful and historic plot. It's a multiple layered history lesson describing how Americans became so reviled by many Middle East clerics; it's also a moral story about how international diplomacy should work during humanitarian crises.
Of course, we know the heroic ending of Argo, but the suspense builds, even knowing the outcome. Almost miraculously, 6 Americans (very accurately portrayed by the cast) were safely removed from Iran, led by CIA operative Tony Mendez (played by Affleck), while 52 other American Embassy personnel were held captive for 444 days during the crises. History will eventually look benevolently on President Jimmy Carter for the diplomacy he endured while trying to protect the safety of all the American hostages. Unfortunately, Carter lost his 1980 re-election campaign as a result. Yet, this hot Iranian political issue transcended the change of administration leading to the Reagan presidency. In spite of the crisis, President Carter has endured, while subsequent administrations have yet to experience the full magnifier of history. I love Argo because it entertains while it teaches multi-generations about current history, as well as the importance of international diplomacy. Most important, Argo brings President Jimmy Carter's administration into the limelight. Argo is a classic film. It gets ten stars from me because it will endure beyond the Hollywood spotlights. Affleck has created a wonderful movie and a history classic.