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From my favorite movies..

Best movie ever!

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

The initial plot line was interesting, about Jon Hamm as a State Dept leader employing and adopting the brother of a Palestine terrorrist. It had potential, but then it morphed into Mad Men Middle East. Hamm plays an cynical but smooth talking alcoholic haunted by past secrets, with an incredibly high tolerance for booze that can switch from wasted to competent on a dime. He also goes for mystery strolls through terror ridden Beirut neighborhoods. Finally, multi-lingual CIA Peggy olsen is along to be a foil to his self indulgence. Hank from Breaking Bad and Eli from Boardwalk Empire are there too as bad guys. I watched it on a plane, and I'm glad I didn't spend actual money on it.

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.

I was a US Marine stationed at the US Embassy Beirut during the period that this movie covers. Aside from the terrible production values, virtually everything shown in this film is not remotely the way it was. Such a disappointment, as I was hoping to see some of my military years reflected in the crazy place that Beirut was during the civil war. SKIP THIS.

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.