Argo – King Street Chronicle

*Argo* stars actor Ben Affleck who produced and directed the film.
courtesy of Allison Davis ’13

Although the Iranian hostage crisis occurred decades ago, Argo captured the entropic nature of the Middle East that is so prevalent today. The movie depicts the Iranian hostage situation, and the CIA’s attempt to rescue six American diplomats who managed to escape the United States Embassy in Iran after a mob broke in and captured 55 US citizens.
To rescue these Americans, the CIA sent in a phony Canadian movie crew, scouting locations for the fake movie, Argo, in Iran, with the plan to fly back home under the pretense that the extra people were part of the film crew.
Produced, directed by, and starring Ben Affleck, this movie draws an audience of all ages. Argo pleases both teenagers eager to see Affleck’s swoon-worthy looks, and those who remember seeing news coverage of the situation back in the 1970’s. All will enjoy the suspense that is heightened by the fact that the Iranian hostage situation was a very real event. You will be gripping the sides of your plush, soda-stained chair and will leave with nails bitten to the quick.
“I love love loved Argo,” said sophomore Lauren Schwabe. “At first I was worried it would be too serious, but it was the furthest thing from boring. I couldn’t take my eyes off of the screen.”
Argo came out at a very appropriate time in light of the recent events in Libya. The Middle East still remains a place of tumult and chaos. Because of the significance of the movie’s setting and plot, it is a good idea to see this movie for both entertainment and education. This action-packed thriller tackles a grim and complicated geopolitical event and makes it not only understandable, but fun. For those movie-goers who are not fans of violence in movies, maybe stay away, as Argo and the event it memorializes is, to say the least, scary. However, the movie has scenes that are light-hearted, and even funny, that make this serious event a little easier to watch.
“I thought Argo was amazing. It was fantastic. You should see it,” senior Laura Marsalisi said.

– Madeline Pillari and Hannah Godvin, Co-News Editors