The Johnson Center is screening a highly praised film, Argo, from Jan. 26 to Feb. 2. Tickets are free with a Mason ID, $1 for faculty and $3 general admission.
Ben Affleck directs and stars in the thriller about the 1980 joint CIA-Canadian secret operation to extract six American diplomatic personnel out of revolutionary Iran (IMDb). The movie times are either 6 p.m. or 9 p.m.
Many moviegoers have admired the film, including revered film critic Roger Ebert, who awarded it the Best Picture of the Year. Along with Ebert’s award, it also won the Best Motion Picture-Drama at the Golden Globes and was nominated for Best Picture in the Academy Awards.
I saw the film on its first weekend and fell in love with it, along with the rest of America. It is a great story that delves deep into how the mission is executed and the conflicts that occur for the CIA in orchestrating the mission, as well as the diplomats in Iran who struggle to stay alive.
The film has its historical flaws. For example, demonizing the British for turning away the America Personnel. In reality the British actually housed the six Americans but believed that the location was not safe for them. So the British then decided to move them to the Canadian Embassy, a better location. Along with the six diplomatic personnel, the British also helped other Americans in Iran.
The film also depicts the characters consistently being in danger forcing the plan to be aborted. The personal and Antonio Mendez (Played by Affleck) were never in any of the danger that the movie portrays. These scenes of being close to caught (i.e. Airport) were created to add suspense to the thriller.
Those additions of suspense make the movie inaccurate to what actually happened, but makes the movie more suspenseful and enjoyable. For the whole movie your stomach is twirling because you want your countrymen, who you have built a relationship with over two hours, to come home safe.
Once the powerful film concluded, all I wanted to do was wave an American Flag. When the plan is finally concluded and each character is safe, you are proud of your country for pulling off a remarkable mission to save a fellow citizen.
Affleck’s phenomenal execution of the film both in front and behind the camera makes every award the film won justified. Every Patriot should take the time to go to the JC Cinema to see this remarkable film. It will not be a waste of your time.
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