Argo

Argo

Ben Affleck does it again, with this tense, exceptionally well-made alternate-history time capsule. It's lacking in flavor, yes. (The harmless in-jokes about the movie business are the film's most personal element, since the Affleck character's rote estranged-dad role is utterly generic.) It embellishes history, yes. (On reflection and some research, the film's elevation of the derring-do of feisty CIA agent Tony Mendez way beyond the apparent facts of the historical matter seem a bit gauche.) But, boy, is it a cracking story while it's up there on the screen. It does just exactly what it has to do for two straight hours, and its period trappings have the strength of sense memory. Hell, I was ready to stand up and applaud the old-school WB logo. It's not remotely the best film of the year. But it is a ton of fun.\n