Movie and childhood reflections..

Written on August 11..

My husband would say that I have to say that I've received no compensation from the Argo movie or book folks, which is true.

Argo is about the Iran Hostage Crisis, specifically about the 6 folks who were able to get out of the embassy before the Iranians got in and how those folks got out of Iran with the help of the the CIA. I read the book a few months ago and really enjoyed it--and, although very serious material, there were definitely parts of the book that were funny.  The book told many stories about the main character's adventures in the CIA, which, in hindsight, were very funny.  (I'm sure in the moment they were quite stressful for the main character, but he put a "funny" twist on many situations when he wrote.) Great lines from the movie..."We're shooting the movie in Iran, not Iraq", Reply..."Don't you watch the news?"  It is rated R, it says due to language and violence...I haven't seen any really disturbing violence (yet, I'm about 40 minutes in), but the F word has been tossed around quite a bit...which is probably realistic for the situation, but kind of limits the audience...

The movie is fascinating, as always there is some conflict between the book and the movie, but I'm amazed as they show 1979 footage how much (I think) I remember.  The hostage crisis was big and constant news through all of 1980..at least as I remember as an 8/9 year old..coincidentally the same age that The Boy is now.

I have really clear memories of making  52 paper dolls (one for each hostage) and taping them in my bedroom window as well as one of my neighbors complementing me on the "pretty stars" that I had in my window.  I remember wondering how he could think they were stars, I mean, wasn't everyone as fascinated by the hostage situation as I was?  I remember saying prayers that the hostages would come home safe and not even thinking that they wouldn't..which, as an adult, seems like great faith.  I hope that my kids have that kind of faith!

My unbiased and sentimental review of the movie is that it is definitely worth watching.  In light of our Mideastern embassies very recent closings, it seems very timely as well.