Argo

Among film fans, it is a well-known fact that Ben Affleck is a much better director than an actor. But he is apparently not such a good director that he realizes the limits of his acting skills and adjusts the casting of the main character accordingly. That is unfortunate. What Ben Affleck builds in the director's seat, the same Ben Affleck tears down in the lead role with his bloodless performance. It's certainly not embarrassing, but it needed to be cast with a top-notch character actor. Ben Affleck's ability to create and maintain tension, his meticulousness in capturing the atmosphere of the 70s, as well as the revolutionary conditions in Iran after the fall of the Shah, still remain. In the field of political thrillers, it's not at the absolute peak, because Ben Affleck couldn't avoid a few unnecessarily melodramatic moments or getting emotional in family scenes, and the viewer's suspense is further marred by the fact that a film based on a true story has nothing to surprise you with and you simply know from the very beginning how it will end. On the other hand, it is a strong above-average film and it is a joy to watch such a well-executed screenplay. Overall impression: 75%. (04/19/2015)

I am very glad that Ben Affleck realized quite early on that he is not such a good actor, but that he might have talent for other professions in the film business. In 1998, he discovered that he has a talent for screenwriting because he won an Oscar for the screenplay of the film "Good Will Hunting" together with Matt Damon. What surprised the whole world even more was the fact that Ben is a great director. He proved it with his first film "Gone Baby Gone", and even more so with the film "The Town", but perhaps the most surprising thing was when he finally ventured outside of the city and surprised both critics and audiences with the film "Argo". More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2013/02/argo-2012-85.html (04/09/2013)

Affleck didn't disappoint again. This time his work may not have that much panache and the viewer has to endure the first half of the film without any emotional basis for the events rather than experience them, but the final, one could say riveting, passage convinced me to give it a high rating and especially about Affleck's qualities as a director. A well-drawn tense situation, a beautiful period atmosphere, a surprisingly decent performance by Affleck and pleasant allusions to the deceitfulness and depravity of the movie industry, all this against a backdrop of a great escape that, in the end, had me completely engrossed and keeping my fingers crossed for the heroes as much as I have done for any film in a long time. Plus the necessary dose of clichés and the mandatory diversion towards the audience, which increased the dynamism and impact of the climax. My Oscar favourites this year may have been made of completely different dough, but Affleck rocked the academics in such style that he couldn't possibly lose. Patriotism is highly addictive, especially when it’s portrayed with such quality. "Argo, fuck yourself!" (03/10/2013)

A smart and very thoughtful reconstruction of historical events that has been missing here for a long time. The film beautifully oscillates between serious drama and accomplished satire, intertwining both key elements in individual scenes from side to side. The whole thing appears mature, intelligent, and it is damn entertaining and captivating to watch. Ben Affleck also hit with the costume design, the sets, and the cinematography. The performances are brilliant by all involved. (02/12/2014)

Argo is based on the serious topic of Americans whose lives are in danger as they are stranded in Iran, sensitively lightened up by a playful Hollywood approach. The director’s craftsmanship is excellent; Ben Affleck is growing up. The clichéd scenes in the last third are probably not an accurate depiction of the actual events, but they fit well in the film’s concept, where a reallife political problem is resolved at the last minute by means of Hollywood heroism reminiscent of a comic book. Argo is visually polished and has a great cast and period atmosphere, as well as fantastic music by Alexandre Desplat. (02/07/2013)