Beirut is a gripping political thriller movie that was released in 2018. The movie is set in the 1980s during the Lebanese Civil War, and it follows the story of Mason Skiles, a former US diplomat who returns to Lebanon on a rescue mission. Jon Hamm stars as Skiles in this film that was directed by Brad Anderson and written by Tony Gilroy. In addition to Jon Hamm, the movie also features Rosamund Pike in the role of a CIA operative at the American embassy in Beirut.
The movie got a rating of 82% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, but only 56% from the audience with a score of 3.2 out of 5. Nonetheless, the film is sure to captivate viewers who love political thriller movies. In this film, Skiles heads back to Beirut to rescue his close friend from a dangerous group of kidnappers.
Synopsis
The movie begins in 1972, where Mason Skiles (Jon Hamm) serves as a US diplomat in Lebanon. He lives in Beirut with his wife Nadia, who is a native of the country. At that same time, they are taking care of Karim, an orphaned Palestinian child. During a party at their residence, Skiles meets his old friend, CIA agent Cal Riley, who wants to see Karim. Riley informs Skiles that Karim’s brother Rafid Abu Raja is responsible for several terrorist attacks in Munich, Germany and Madrid, Spain.
Unexpectedly, the party is attacked by Rafid and his men who kidnap Karim and kill Nadia in a shootout. A decade later in 1982, Skiles returns to Lebanon, now working as an arbiter. One day, his old friend Sully visits him and tells him that he has been requested by the US government to return to Lebanon. Skiles, curious about the opportunity, decides to return to Beirut.
Upon arriving, Skiles meets with important people in the US Government such as Colonel Gary Ruzak, Ambassador Frank Whalen, and two CIA agents named Donald Gaines and Sandy Crowder. In a short meeting, Skiles is informed that Cal Riley has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom in Lebanon. The kidnappers demand Skiles as the negotiator if they want to free Riley.
Some time later, Skiles and the team meet the kidnappers, only to find out that Karim is now the leader of the group that kidnapped Riley. Karim demands the release of Rafid, and in return, he will release Riley. However, they do not know where Rafid is, and Skiles suspects that the Israelis are holding him.
To uncover the truth, Skiles and Colonel Gary Ruzak go to Israel. Unfortunately, they find out that Israel does not have Rafid in custody. Skiles then meets Karim again, who takes him to see Riley. At their meeting, Riley reveals that Rafid is being held by the Palestinian Liberation Organization.
In a tense political diplomatic-filled movie, Beirut stands out due to the superb directing by Brad Anderson, who is known for his impactful psychological thrillers and horror movies. In addition to Jon Hamm, Rosamund Pike, and the rest of the cast, the visual effects and cinematography of the movie are stunning.
Conclusion
Beirut is a must-watch political thriller movie, with excellent acting and great direction, transporting viewers back to the tense political atmosphere of Beirut during the 1980s. In this movie, you will experience a gripping, action-packed tale filled with politics, diplomacy, and espionage. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this 2018 film, which will leave you at the edge of your seat from start to finish.
