An Afternoon with Ben Affleck

                Spending several hours with Ben Affleck on a Saturday afternoon was not priceless– it cost $12.00.  Afternoon prices dip a few dollars and we like to take advantage of any chance to save a couple of bucks when we go to the movies.  ARGO had been on the marque for only a short time at the Cinema 8, but the Oscar nominated film returned for a few afternoon showings.  We were excited to get to see it since the reviews had been excellent.
               While I’m not sure all the areas for the Oscar nominations, I’ll just say that the close-ups and opportunities to view Ben Affleck with a beard were Oscar worthy.  He is one fine looking gent,and a great actor, too.   He and George Clooney produced the movie.
              Interspersed with background shots of 1980’s television reports, including shots of Walter Cronkite, Tom Brokow, and Mike Wallace, the Iran Hostage Crisis came to life again.  We were somewhat privy to how it happened in the first place with footage almost documentary in nature. At the conclusion of the feature, similar “real-life” pictures, comparison shots, and statements about the 6 hostages rescued in this mission and the hostages who remained imprisoned for 444 days in the American Embassy in Iran flashed on the screen.  Jimmy Carter was seen in television clips and his Chief of Staff was depicted in the film. We’re really lucky that brave and determined Americans often forced the hand of administrative operatives, and our men and women on the ground, the ones with the real intelligence and the fortitude to carry out the plans, won the day.
                 The Eastern world of Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey, and Egypt was depicted as totally chaotic, loud, aggressive, full of hate, and quite unnerving. I knew the hostages got out, but my nerves were shot by the time it actually happened.  Even if you are hesitant about seeing and sensing the Middle-East of the 1980’s, go see the film because of its Oscar merit, and because you will enjoy experiencing Ben Affleck, “up close and personal.”