Argo

Director and star Ben Affleck adroitly combines a compelling, true-life story with relevant, politically-charged suspense and strategically placed humor in this intense and exceptionally intelligent thriller. During the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, six besieged American embassy workers in Tehran seek refuge in the home of the Canadian Ambassador, Ken Taylor (Victor Garber). Knowing the workers will be executed if found by militant Iranians—along with the Ambassador and his wife—the Canadian and American governments, under the direction of then-President Jimmy Carter, turn to a CIA espionage advisor (Bryan Cranston), who calls in covert extraction operative Tony Mendez (Affleck). Realizing the worldwide appeal of the motion picture industry, Mendez inventively enlists the help of Hollywood makeup artist John Chambers (John Goodman), who recruits flamboyant producer Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin). Forming Studio Six Productions, they pretend to be scouting desert locations for an upcoming sci-fi adventure film. Mendez then has to convince the terrified and bewildered Americans (Tate Donovan, Clea DuVall, Scoot McNairy, Rory Cochrane, Christopher Denham, and Kerry Bishe) to assume new Canadian aliases and “showbiz” crew identities, as director, producer, screenwriter, cameraman, etc. Will capricious Iranian officials and suspicious Revolutionary Guards at the airport really fall for this bizarre, farfetched charade? One of the year's best, this multiple-Oscar nominee is highly recommended. Editor's Choice. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include a “Rescued from Tehran: We Were There” featurette with President Jimmy Carter, CIA agent and author Tony Mendez, and the actual houseguests (17 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is audio commentary by director Ben Affleck and screenwriter Chris Terrio, a picture-in-picture “Eyewitness Account” viewing mode, the behind-the-scenes featurettes “Escape from Iran: The Hollywood Option” (47 min.), “Absolute Authenticity” (11 min.), and “The CIA and Hollywood Connection” (6 min.), and bonus DVD and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a fine extras package for this excellent Best Picture nominee.] (S. Granger)