Argo won the Oscar for Best Picture in 2012. I caught up to it last night, courtesy of Netflix. Since I’ve yet to see any of the other nominees, I won’t comment on the whether it was the worthiest film of the year, but it’s certainly good work, especially given the fact that the outcome is public knowledge. It’s not the first time celluloid suspense has been palpable in a story familiar to anyone who follows the news. But that isn’t the best thing about the film. It’s cinematography matches that troubled time, post Vietnam, post Watergate, Carter malaise, pre Reagan recovery. I do not like the drab look of many 70’s films, despite what top critics say. Argo embraces it from the opening shot of the old Warner logo, and it works. The iconic Hollywood sign that graces that hillside in L.A. is shown in disrepair, several of its letters missing, a perfect symbol of the era when the zeitgeist, soon to be proven grossly mistaken, was that America was in irrevocable decline. Another eye-opening aspect is its unabashed trashing of the movie industry. That’s been done before, but I’m not sure if as viciously as depicted here. Brian Cranston, Alan Arkin and John Goodman are at their best in support of Ben Affleck, who takes a low-key approach to his role as the architect of the mission. Although the names of those who play the rescued six were not familiar to me, I recognized their faces from their appearances on TV and in films. All are excellent. Any story set in the modern Middle East affects me viscerally. I feel the urge to spit at the images of Islamist radicals. It was no different here, despite the voice-over narration at the beginning that establishes an argument for the hostage taking. The worst of the fanatics, and no one knows how high the percentage is among the Muslim population, are totalitarian monsters who must be crushed. On a scale of five, I rate Argo four. It is rated 7.9 of ten at IMDb. Affleck has now directed two big winners back to back. The Town (2010) was a riveting heist film. Given the bashing he suffered not so long ago, when his career seemed finished, this is one of the greatest comebacks in Hollywood history. I suspect his political views are largely the opposite of mine, but he is one guy I’d like to have in my corner. He has demonstrated uncommon resolve. Kudos, sir.
There was a fun article in today’s NY Post. This is true love: a 59-year-old Brooklyn man refuses to testify against his 43-year-old lover, who shot him in the head, where the bullet remains lodged. He also wants the order of protection dropped so that they may marry. Now there’s the basis for a movie. It’s something the original Law and Order would surely have tackled. Life never ceases to amaze.
The floating book shop was rained out today, and the forecast is iffy for tomorrow.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
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