Beirut

Beirut-360P

Beirut-720P

Beirut-480P

As a movie this is a solid, dependable thriller with a really solid performance by Jon Hamm, as well as by a range of supporting players who turn in good, taunt performances. The one exception is Rosamund Pike whom is a great actor, but is ill-used. I suspect there were a number of scenes left on the editing floor. This movie will be controversial because of its depictions of Beirut, as well as lack of agency of the Lebanese people. These criticisms are valid, but at the same time it is very hard for Hollywood, let alone a Western director and writer to get the right nuance and tension of the period AND make a successful movie. To the critics, you have a point, but this is a thriller, not a documentary. If you are looking for a modern spy/espionage movie, this should be on your list. Plus I would love to see more Jon Hamm in these types of roles...well done.

I read the reviews here before I went to see the movie and it seems like most of the older reviews were negative and the more recent ones were more positive. I was misled by the more favorable reviews into somehow thinking that this was an exciting and on the edge of your seat drama. It was not. As others have mentioned. The pacing of the first two thirds of the movie is ponderous. Sure, a backstory is necessary, but this was absurd. Also, other reviewers have mentioned the handheld photography and and I'm not knowledgeable regarding that sort of thing but it was definitely noticeable that the photography was inferior, and it was distracting, and made it harder to get immersed in the movie. The pace of the last half hour was much faster and perhaps saved the movie for anyone that was still awake. I initially got my wife to go by telling her this was going sorta be like "Homeland". What a lie. Any episode of Homeland, over its entire 7 seasons, is much more exciting, and made much better than this movie. I did think that Rosamund Pike was outstanding, and that Jon Hamm gave a good performance, but the movie overall was disappointing, and I had to apologize to the family for my poor choice.

I have no ideas about the history of this movie, but it is a great experience to look into something from a fiction story to the humanity side. The movie (Beirut) did Not try to make people hate each other, it try to make peace. It makes me rethink of stepping into other country with forces wouldn't earn any rewards until all could be killed or hunted in different ways. Make true friends better then hate each other...

Beirut (1.5 out of 5 stars). Beirut is a dull espionage thriller that takes place during the Lebanese Civil War in 1982. The film misses on a lot of opportunities in being an effective thriller. Especially, from screenwriter Tony Gilroy (who did the Bourne movies). The plot takes place in the 1970s when Mason (Jon Hamm) and his wife Nadia are caring for a Lebanese boy whose brother is connected to the Munich massacre. While, the boy's brother attacks Mason's party and killing his wife. A decade later, Mason an alcoholic and washed out diplomat is brought back to Beirut. When his former friend Cal (Mark Pellegrino) is taken hostage. The plot was dull and boring. Diplomats debate continuously about the hostage situation. There is a twist that is not worth caring for. It does not help when the script lacks characterization depth. It is difficult to even have emotions for the characters. Even for the main lead, who is an alcoholic and risk taker. In the end, you still did not care for him. Jon Hamm and Rosamund Pike are both tedious with their performances. Dean Morris is terrible and playing a character with an obvious hairpiece. There was no suspense or thrills. Do not expect any. The entire movie is just spent with Mason trying to find the Lebanese boy's older brother. So he can trade him for his friend Cal. While other dictator's are wanting to make a better deal involving money. Overall, Beirut is horrible. The plot is dull. The direction is tedious that lacks suspense and emotions to the characters. The performances are boring. This movie is definitely a pass.

Why are people so upset that it's not historically accurate? It never purported to be a history lesson. Snappy dialogue and a few twists and turns and Jon Hamm being Jon Hamm. I thought it was good.

... as soon as they're introduced, which makes the main alleged "plot twist" not much of a twist at all. Once again, as in virtually every recent Hollywood film set in the Middle East (with the partial exception of "The Kingdom"), you're supposed to root against the American intelligence professionals over there. "Beirut" asks you to cheer for clever, battle-scarred, emotionally wounded but honorable John Hamm and equally honorable Rosamund Pike -- both of them given to tough, wry, bantering movie dialogue that never fails them -- as they go up against a corrupt and ruthless United States and a scheming, warlike Israel -- or, as the movie puts it, "the White House and Tel Aviv." True, their Arab foes are definitely terrorists (something, in fact, that the NY Times critic complained about), but these terrorists also shed tears and exhibit commendable brotherly devotion. The final half hour of the movie has our heroes putting a daring plan into operation to thwart the wicked CIA types and save the kidnapped ambassador, and at that point you may as well turn your attention to more pressing things, since you know there's going to be some ginned-up suspense but that the plan is ultimately going to succeed. P.S. A final complaint: In an excess of atmosphere, the film is overloaded with extremely intrusive Middle Eastern music that never lets up, like an annoying radio in the next room.

I don't care it is not filmed in Beirut. It is a good spy thriller that is unlike most others. It does not have car chases or thousands of bullets flying or naked men & women decorating the screen. It has depth and is thought provoking. A wife died and the husband grieved. A child lost his mentor and he seeked another, who led him to a totally different path. There are deceptions but there are also trust and friendship. It is a movie that keeps your brain churning instead of your adrenaline rushing.