Telluride Film Festival: Early Buzz for Ben Affleck’s ARGO
Ben Affleck’s upcoming thriller ARGO just screened at the Telluride Film Festival and early reactions are extremely positive so far. The film is a true story about a CIA “exfiltration” expert who concocts an outlandish plan to get six stranded Americans out of Tehran after the 1979 invasion of the American embassy — by having them masquerade as a Hollywood film crew. I’m really looking forward to seeing this one at TIFF next week.
Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Alan Arkin, Kyle Chandler, Victor Garber, Tate Donovan, and Michael Parks star. Argo opens in theaters October 12.
@kristapley: Argo is fantastic. The tension is spectacular and it has a great sense of humor. Another step up for Affleck. My nails are chewed off. Like I said, tension is spectacular. Applause in the middle of the movie. Hearing nothing but “wow” and “outstanding” outside the theater. A big hit. Love the growth Affleck is showing. So happy for him. Coolest part: Affleck rocks out the 70s/80s WB logo at the beginning. The one on red. Really wish Arkin had more scenes. But he’s awesome. A true ensemble, though. No one stands out above the rest. Not a bad thing. – Kristopher Tapley (In Contention)
Thompson on Hollywood (Indiewire): The buzz was building on this taut and commercial thriller, which Affleck directs with screw-tightening efficiency that would make Michael Mann proud. Multiple Oscar nominations are in order as this movie surges to the top of the current Oscar contenders list. Think “The Insider” on steroids. Affleck gives a solid, naturalistic performance as Tony Mendez, a smart and experienced CIA operative who specializes in pulling people out of tight situations. – Anne Thompson
The Hollywood Reporter: I expect the Hollywood community — which loves nothing more than seeing itself depicted in good movies, as demonstrated by the success of The Artist less than a year ago — to like it as much as anyone. I think that it is a very solid contender to score Oscar nominations for best picture and best adapted screenplay (Chris Terrio used an article by Joshuah Bearman as the basis of his script); has a decent shot at a best actor nom for Affleck and best supporting actor noms for Arkin and Goodman (whose prospects may actually be hurt by the strength of the entire ensemble); and might well compete for best costume design (Oscar-winner Jacqueline West) and best original score (perennial Oscar nominee Alexandre Desplat). – Scott Feinberg
@EricKohn: ARGO: Entertaining combo of political intrigue/Hollywood satire. Alan Arkin/J. Goodman steal show. A crowdpleasing WAG THE DOG. – Eric Kohn (Indiewire)
@EricDSnider: ARGO: terrific, smart, grown-up entertainment. Affleck is a real live director. Top 10 of the year so far for me. – Eric D. Snider (Twitch, Film.com, Movies.com)
@SlashFilm: Argo is a near-brilliant nail-biting thriller. Fantastic performances/prod design. Ben Affleck’a smartest film yet as director. – Peter Sciretta
@FirstShowing: Argo – Damn that was outstanding. Got totally lost in the story, still sweating. Cast is fantastic all around, plus Bryan Cranston rules! Chandler is good too, but barely in it. Cranston has one of the key roles in this. – Alex Billington
@chhabs: Ben Affleck’s Argo, well directed edge-of-the-seat thriller during the #IranHostageCrisis. But the politics of the film are so bad! Argo opens well, history of America with Iran, but the rest of film shows the Iranians as evil villains, Americans all innocent. – Aseem Chhabra
@KPutnam: Really loved Argo. Great story, suspense, performances, context and ideas. – Keri Putnam