Friday night we screened “Argo,” awarded the Best Picture Oscar™ by AMPAS, and through most of it all I could think was, “Really?”
Was it enjoyable? Yes. Was it exciting? Yes.
But “Best Picture”? No.
I haven’t even seen all of this year’s nominees, but I’ve seen two others from the list: Spielberg’s “Lincoln” and “Silver Linings Playbook”. In that short, three-title list, “Argo” is third in my opinion.
“Argo” has many virtues. The costume and set design were top-notch. The art direction was quite good. The acting was (for the most part) very good. Where it falls down is in direction and screenplay.
Note: Spoilers follow. (more…)
In the absence of factual data, we often fill in the blanks with archetypes. So it was with Abraham Lincoln. Admired, respected, nearly deified, the Lincoln we knew in our youth was a tall man of serene demeanor, with a deep voice, and an unflappable dignity.
Kurt R.A. Giambastiani 