Each year since 1994, members of the Screen Actor’s Guild, now SAG-AFTRA, come together to honor fellow performs in film and television. Spoilers may follow!
I first saw Argo in October of 2012 and was in awe of the performances, cinematic quality and the sheer bravery of those involved in the actual event. Watching it a second time with the SAG Awards in mind, I see no better contestant for the Best Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture category.
Directed by and starring Ben Affleck, Argo begins in 1979 with the Iran Hostage Crisis. Six Americans were able to escape the takeover of the US Embassy by taking a back door exit to the street and seeking refuge at the private residence of the Canadian ambassador. The CIA brigs in their top extractors, Tony Mendez (Affleck). After much deliberation, the CIA greenlights his top secret operation: to enter Iran, rescue the Americans in hiding, pose as a Canadian film crew and calmly flee to Canada. With the help of Hollywood make-up artist and producer John Chambers (John Goodman) and director Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin), Mendez is able to create the persona of a Hollywood big shot looking to shoot the next science fiction blockbuster in the far off Middle East. In short, Mendez and his “Canadian film crew” have a few near misses and close calls, but because of their precarious situation are able to work together as a team and escape by the skin of their teeth.
This film puts and extra poignant spin on the use of ensemble in film. It is becoming more rare these days to find a small group of performers working together to create the best possible story. Given the circumstances of Argo, it is impossible to play this is any other way. It is a group of people brought together by unfortunate circumstances who must band together to ensure their survival. This holds true for the real life event, as well as in Hollywood’s cinematic retelling.
