If there is a line of actors and directors waiting for their nominations to the Oscars, it starts with Ben Affleck for his thrilling performance in front of and behind the camera in “Argo.”

He plays CIA agent Tony Mendez, who takes it upon himself to travel to Iran and rescue a group of Americans after they are caught in the middle of the Iranian Revolution.

The group finds refuge in the Canadian Embassy, hoping someone or something will save them. 

Mendez and a few Hollywood producers concoct a far-fetched plan to enter the country with the intent to make a movie. 

Makeup artist John Chambers  (played by John Goodman) and producer Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin) are sought out by Mendez. Together, they come up with the idea to fabricate a sci-fi film titled “Argo.”

A screenplay is written and storyboards are drawn up. Mendez sells the picture to Iranian officials, explaining that he, Chambers and Siegel are filming another installment in the “Star Wars” series and they need to travel to Iran.

Although, who would honestly believe a Hollywood studio wants to film a movie in the middle of the American Hostage Crisis? 

Mendez travels to the country by himself to teach the group of Americans how to act as though they work in the cinema. 

Did I mention this movie is based on a true story?

At the height of the Iranian Revolution, six Americans were stuck in the country with little hope of surviving.

Agent Mendez created a mock production in order to gain access into the country without any meddling from the government. His plan was to rescue the American tourists trapped there because of the turmoil across the country. 

I don’t think I’ve ever watched an action movie with so much detail, and frankly none of them have ever hooked me enough to stop me from changing the channel or sleeping in the theatre.

Usually these action films jump from one major plot point to another, leaving no room for character development. 

Here, Affleck stretches out each scene, inserting detail after detail, showing escaping from a country in the middle of political turmoil is no easy task. 

At many moments as Mendez and the six Americans attempt to escape, there is a feeling of uncertainty hovering over their survival.

 Affleck has not been nominated for an Oscar since 1998, when he and Matt Damon took the award for best screenplay for “Good Will Hunting. Affleck however, has already made himself a contender for nominations this year with “Argo.”

Jaime Lopez can be reached

 at 581-2812 

or jlopez2@eiu.edu.