'Argo' is Timely, Topical and Thoroughly Entertaining

On Nov. 4, 1979, a large group of Iranians stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But six Americans did escape. The story about how those six made it out is the set-up for the film Argo.

The six find refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador. That's when CIA operative Tony Mendez comes in. He's played by Ben Affleck, who also directs the film.

He cooks up a plan to fly in alone and fly out with the six, all of them posing as a film crew scouting locations for a faux Star Wars knockoff titled Argo.

It's a crazy scheme to get hostages out by fronting a fake movie, but it works… and, at times, it's very funny. There are some great supporting roles for Bryan Cranston, the CIA boss; Alan Arkin, the fake movie producer; and John Goodman, the special effects guy. All this and a great story leave you with an engaging film crackling with energy and purpose.

This is no documentary; it's a major studio motion picture and a heck of a good one at that. So the Flick-O-Meter gives Argo a five out of five. Great film, great acting, great directing. This film is Oscar-worthy.

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DINNER SELECTION

We're going to suggest El Torero Mexican Restaurant in Briarcliff. Then head over to AMC North DeKalb Mall 16 for the movie.

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