When the Cheshire emerges...

This was one of the films of the year. I highly recommend you get your bum on a cinema seat for this one.

Argo (M)

WHILE much of the current focus on the Middle East remains on links within the US, an interesting sidenote remains that Canadian relations with Iran have not always been on positive terms. Their decision last month to sever all diplomatic ties with the country, not for the first time, has sparked political and international debate.

It's timely then that this film should be released, explaining for the first time on film some details behind their disagreements. The Canadians were responsible for harbouring six US embassy employees in Tehran during violent protests in 1979/1980, aimed at the US government for keeping their corrupt leader safe while on his deathbed.

Yes, the US is still involved. And here we see the story of how they were the unsung heroes of the operation to get the group out of the country. As cliched as it seems, this is very much a case of North American partners in crime, something rarely highlighted.

The six escaped to the Canadian embassy, where they stayed for more than two months before CIA exfiltration agent Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) came on board to create their escape plan. A preposterous plan for an extreme situation, he creates buzz for a sci-fi film that will never be made.

Getting producers, stars and Variety magazine on board are all part of Mendez's plan to have a viable excuse for getting into Iran for location scouting and smuggle the group out as the remainder of his production crew.

Unravelling elements of what those in the business think Hollywood to be as Mendez develops his plan, Affleck the director makes a statement to say he has earned his place among his sort of the day.
His attention to detail and style is remarkable, long shots establishing the story's slow process and effectively ditching the crisp picture we've come to expect for that of 30-year-old quality.

George Clooney and Grant Heslov join Affleck as producers, and together they make a film about a fake film big. John Goodman and Alan Arkin as Mendez's Hollywood contacts are wry and cynical but great assets, and Bryan Cranston again makes an important appearance as CIA buddy Jack O'Donnell. Victor Garber returns to his roots as Canadian ambassador Ken Taylor, while Affleck himself has no conflictions about moving between the front and back of the camera.

Tony Mendez is a simple guy who's having family issues, but the focus never remains on him. The story is well and truly everyone's, something to remember and be able to share. Taking information from Mendez's autobiography The Master of Disguise and article Escape From Tehran by Joshuah Bearman, the film is smooth and engrossing in entirety.

Unlike many other films involving espionage and rescue plots, this story has true heart.