Argo (2012)

Argo is a political thriller directed (AND starring, how remarkably self-centered is that) which details the 'Canadian caper' situation during 1979-1981, in which a bunch of unfortunate American hostages are held thanks to a revolution which deposed the American-British imposed Shah; the Americans had given the Shah asylum, which quite understandably the Iranians were quite miffed at considering the corruption which had encapsulated his rule (yes, the film is *based* on true events) and there was quite a strong feeling that the Shah should be dealt with. With an axe. To the head. Anyhow, it could be quite easy to see this film as presenting two sides; the 'good' (MURICA) and the bad (Iranians), the pesky Iranians capturing our precious vassals of freedom, American ambassadors, whom international law decrees are immune from hostage taking. But the Iranians don't care, which is sort of breaking international law. The simple parallel of good vs evil seems more true in current times, amidst recent tensions between Americans and Iranians over Iranian production of nuclear fuel, which could be used to, you know, nuke America. However, the film does an apt job at presenting the legitimate reasons for the Iranian people's anger: at the start of the film, it accurately describes how the democratically elected Iranian PM was deposed by the magnanimous vassals of freedom (the US and the UK) because he nationalised the oil industry, which understandable quite annoyed British and American oil interests; but deposing of a democratically elected PM in favour of a hereditary monarchy is quite unfair, and the film justly depicts it so. By the end, however, the film does perhaps fall into this pitfall: Americans escape in an EPIC POLICE CHASE!! and only just make it to the aeroplane with seconds to spare, with the Iranian police decrying "we would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for you meddling kids". Meddling kids indeed. And then Affleck gets a medal and he's the hero of the world, et cetera. It does seem to make the situation as if a world of superheroes when in fact the situation is quite tragic, for both sides: Iranians have been dealt deep injustice by Americans, whilst the hostages and their families had to suffer months of anxiety. On terms of the film production itself, the acting is quite good; I mean, who doesn't like John Goodman. The camera and filters used when filming the angry crowd really create a feeling of immediacy and that 'you're there', so that was quite nice. Yeah its good 4/5 at least. I'd recommend it!!!