Oscar frontrunner
Further confirming his future may be better suited to the director’s chair, Ben Affleck directs and stars in this gripping, moving, intense and even funny (and somewhat politically incorrect) account of the 1979 rescue of U.S. hostages in Tehran, Iran. A terrific supporting cast, especially the non A-list actors who pose as Canadian filmmakers in a bold escape attempt, make the dramatic license taken justified and redeem Affleck for miscasting himself in the hero’s role. An early candidate for best picture. Rated R for language and some violent images.
Grade: A-
Bruce Bennett Short Bio
Bruce Bennett has been the primary contributor to Mad About Movies since it began in 2003. He is an award winning film and theater critic who, since 2000, has been writing a weekly column in The Spectrum daily newspaper in southern Utah as well as serving as a contributing editor of “The Independent,” a monthly entertainment magazine. He is also the co-host of “Film Fanatics” a movie review show which earned a Telly in 2009. Bruce is also a featured contributor at: RottenTomatoes.com
His motto: "I see bad movies so you don't have to."