Ben Affleck is no stranger to critically acclaimed films, his previous directing efforts Gone Baby Gone and The Town both proving he possesses the abilities behind the camera to forge a whole new direction in his film career. This year, he once again returns to the pinnacle of filmmaking with one of the year's best films, Argo.
Based on a true story, Argo opens with the U.S. embassy in Tehran under attack from militants, resulting in six American personnel turning fugitive in Iran and seeking solace at the Canadian embassy until it is possible for them to return home. Unfortunately such a task is one that even the CIA and American government are experiencing mass difficulty with, until CIA specialist Tony Mendez (Affleck) hatches a plan that may well be unbelievable but could be the only answer to the sextet's safe return home.
That plan involves creating a fake movie named Argo, along with a fake movie company and all the trimmings, and using it as a cover to get the six 'recruited' as part of the cast and then sent back home on a plane. With the help of Hollywood make-up artist John Chambers (John Goodman) and producer Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin), Mendez has the lives of six people in his hands in what is an unbelievably tense series of events.
Argo is pure tension bottled up and unleashed all in one foray of drama unmatched by any this year. Ben Affleck once again shows his prowess behind the camera and also puts in a good turn in the lead role. For all those involved, an incredible cast to behold indeed, it is the comedic double act of John Goodman and Alan Arkin that steal the show, two veterans of film playing hilariously off one another and creating memorable characters.
Blending humour with heart-pounding drama, Affleck showcases to the world he is at his best when in the director's chair and after an impressive two films in the role, he knocks it out of the park with a film that will leave you with lack of nails and have you sitting on the edge of your seat.
Simply incredible and amongst the best of the year, Argo is pure unadulterated cinema at its most dramatic.
Film Rating: 4.5 F's out of 5
Romantic comedies can often become tedious and repetitive as we witness the birth of love between a couple, enjoy their ups, gasp as their relationship tumbles and rejoice as all is forgiven in a reconciliation and a happy ending. We all know the conventional rom-com formula these days and it takes something diverse to make one stand up and take notice. I give you exhibit A - Ruby Sparks.
Calvin (Paul Dano) is a young man struggling with writer's block. Despite constant visits to his psychiatrist (Elliott Gould), he cannot quite find something to write about - that is until he continues to dream about a particular woman who takes his breath away. His imaginary girlfriend, Ruby Sparks (Zoe Kazan), is the woman who is about to change his life. As he begins to write about Ruby, Calvin feels he is on to a winner and then the impossible becomes possible, she becomes an actual person and is part of his real life.
Ruby Sparks' premise is one that already provokes an immediate positive reaction in that it represents something different in a romantic comedy. Almost a hybrid of the Weird Science variety, the film presents to the viewer the idea of creating the perfect woman and brilliantly merges it with real life situation.
In Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan (in real life also a couple), Ruby Sparks oozes with perfectly timed humour and a tenderness that will warm even the coldest of hearts. The pair are infinitely lovable and drive the film on along with Kazan's genius script. Throw in the likes of veterans Antonio Banderas, Annette Bening and the hugely underrated Chris Messina into the mix, and the film excels to much more than just a run-of-the-mill romantic comedy.
With plenty of heart, twists and turns, and acting talent that infuse laughter and wonderment through every minute, Ruby Sparks is a beautiful film worthy of being held in high regard among some of the best films of the year.
Film Rating - 4 out of 5 F's
