Beirut

The 1983 Beirut bombings serve as a setting for the movie BEIRUT, starring Jon Hamm and Rosamund Pike. In 1972 Mason Skiles (Hamm), a United States diplomat to Lebanon is living in Beirut with his wife Nadia (Leila Bekhti) and a 13-year old Lebanese boy they care for named Karim (Idir Chender). When Nadia and Mason are having a party, Nadia is killed during an attack when Karim is abducted by his brother Rami (Ben Affan). As a result, Mason leaves Beirut.

Ten years later Mason is approached to give a lecture in Lebanon. After the tragedy of losing his wife, he is hesitant to return to Beirut, but accepts the offer. When Mason arrives in Beirut, he meets State Department officials and discovers the real reason he was summoned. He agrees to work with CIA agent Sandy Crowder (Pike) to negotiate the release of his friend, CIA officer Cal Riley (Mark Pellegrino), who was recently abducted.

BEIRUT is a spy thriller with remarkable performances and wonderful direction by Brad Anderson. Tony Gilroy's screenplay provides a credible connection to the Beirut bombings of 1983 when President Ronald Reagan kept a U.S. military force in Lebanon. The constant fear residents are living in is apparent, as they are persecuted for their beliefs and explosions abound. The destroyed buildings are evidence of a war atmosphere and city of unrest.

BEIRUT is currently playing in theatres. The official Web site is https://bleeckerstreetmedia.com/beirut.

Our Kind of Traitor

John le Carre writes excellent spy thriller novels. Since I like the movie A MOST WANTED MAN, I was confident I would enjoy OUR KIND OF TRAITOR.  Both movies are adapted from le Carre novels.

OUR KIND OF TRAITOR is highly suspenseful and keeps its audience on edge. Critical thinking is required in order to follow the mystery.  While watching this film, it is difficult knowing which characters to trust. The story is intriguing due to excellent acting and Susanna White's directing.

A Most Wanted Man

A MOST WANTED MAN is an excellent film based on the book by John le Carre. It is a spy thriller full of suspense, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rachel McAdams, Willem Dafoe, and Robin Wright.  All the performances are exceptional. I was especially impressed with McAdams’ portrayal of an attorney helping immigrants, which Hoffman’s character refers to as “a social worker who helps terrorists.”

A MOST WANTED MAN is one of the best films I have seen in a long time and is currently playing in theatres. For more information visit http://amostwantedmanmovie.com/.