Ben Affleck’s family hated his ‘Argo’ hair

Ben Affleck's new movie, "Argo," is already getting positive reviews. But the movie star's shag hairstyle in the film? A big thumbs down from the family.

While the true tale is generating plenty of Oscar buzz, Affleck said his family gave his hair bad reviews. "My family unanimously hated the look," he said at a press conference at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, according to People StyleWatch.

Everyone took a shot at his bed head: Affleck recalled, "My dad was like, 'What kind of work would want you to look like that?'" His response, "That's a good question."

The spy thriller, which is set in the '70s, features the actor sporting shaggy locks and a full beard. The plot centers on a secret operation to rescue six Americans during the Iranian hostage crisis in 1979, led by a real-life CIA spy, played by Affleck, who takes on the look of the time -- bad hair included.

[Related: 'Looper' Director Rian Johnson talks about time travel, Bruce Willis, and nostalgia]

Getting razzed about your hair is not the worst outcome of a film opening. After all, Affleck's exaggerated pompadour in "Gigli" wasn't exactly a style win: On the other hand, his hair was the least of his worries for that disastrous production.

The director of "The Town" can be seen in his new film with the style of the era: bangs and shorter layers in the front, with the hair falling well below his ears in the back. A bristly beard, sideburns, and a moustache complete the look. The movie also features (clean-cut) stars Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston, and John Goodman.

The normally close-cropped 40-year-old even got grief from his kids on his unshaven appearance. Daughters, Violet, 6, and Seraphina, 3, didn't love Dad's 'do, either.

The actor said, "I kept trying to tell my littler kids [that this was for work]. But "they would say, 'Why can't you shave your … prickles? Shave your prickles!'" Wife Jennifer Garner was apparently "appalled" by the very hairy transformation.

"Argo" opens on October 12.

See the trailer for 'Argo':

'Argo' Theatrical Trailer