the audience applauded

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Good movie but grossly overrated

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

I mean, come on, doesn't anyone proof the scripts they're producing anymore? This was so unrealistic it's ridiculous. Jon Hamm - you're above this drivel. What an insulting plate of barf this film was.

Like the actors, solid story, well told. Overall very enjoyable.

I read a lot of carping here about "This didn't look like Beirut!" "The Arabic accents were all wrong!" and "It wasn't even shot in Beirut". For all I know the criticisms may be right, but who cares? Give me a break. It's a movie, got that? The film did a good job of setting its story in a city that, by 1980, had been been abraded away by automatic weapon fire and RPGs. The actors were all believable, the dialog, while perhaps too plentiful, served the story well. To set a story in a city and country being battled over by Christians, Hezbollah, the Maronites, Israel, Syria, Palestine and the Druse militia, and probably more, requires some explication! Other reviewers are complaining about the film being "propaganda". Propaganda for what? Urban renewal? Safer housing? Gun rights? Mercedes-Benz taxis? Maybe the non-romance between Mason Skyles and Sandy Crowder is a typical cinematic device to engage audiences, but, well, it worked for me. And it isn't really typical, since she outranks him and the romance gets no farther than "Boy, am I glad to see you!" Anyway, It is a thriller regardless of the accuracy of the accents.

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.