Beirut

Beirut, released in 2018, is a political thriller set against the backdrop of a war-torn Lebanon during the 1980s. Directed by Brad Anderson and penned by Tony Gilroy, the film stars well-acclaimed actors like Jon Hamm, Jay Potter, and Khalid Benchagra, who perform at the peak of their prowess to project a story of tension, intrigue, and resilience.

The protagonist, Mason Skiles (played by Jon Hamm of Mad Men fame), is a former U.S. diplomat who is compelled to return to Beirut after a 10-year hiatus. The film opens up a decade earlier, painting Skiles as a happy, married, and upbeat individual involved in diplomatic politicking and communing with politicians, CIA operatives, and various Lebanese citizens alike. Skiles and his wife also look after a local Lebanese orphan boy, demonstrating his good-natured attitudes and benevolence. However, the peace is shattered when a traumatic incident forces him to leave Beirut and his life as a diplomat.

Fast-forwards 10 years, Skiles is embroiled in a drab lifestyle, away from the political turmoil and diplomatic channels he used to surf with ease. Observing him, one wouldn't immediately picture him as the up-and-about diplomat from a decade ago. But as fate would have it, he gets pulled back into the chaos after his former colleague, C.I.A. field agent Cal Riley (played by Mark Pellegrino), gets kidnapped in Lebanon.

A bundle of contradictory emotions and haunted by his past, Skiles initially hesitates to return to the chaos of Lebanon. His reluctance fades away when confronted by vivid memories of Beirut, his friend, and duty. Skiles is asked to negotiate for the release of his kidnapped friend using his prior knowledge of Beirut's intricate web of treacherous politics and faction rivalries. Herein, the audience is introduced to a series of captivating and gripping plotline twists.

Jon Hamm, with his impeccable performance, makes his character's transformation from a cynical, burnt-out mediator to a calculated negotiator very believable. The film also lays out an elaborate portrayal of Beirut in the '80s, aesthetically captured through the lens of the cinematographer Bjørn Charpentier, who awesomely exhibits the city's vibrancy and chaotic atmosphere.

However, the real strength of Beirut lies in Tony Gilroy's script, which paints a picture of a city torn apart by warfare, political intrigue, and dueling factions. While not hesitating to illustrate the city's dangerous unpredictability, it also ensures that every character's motives and intentions remain clear to viewers. Moreover, the dialogue shines with a sharp wit that provides light relief from time to time, preventing the plot from becoming overwhelmingly intense.

Also noteworthy is the supporting cast, including Rosamund Pike as a CIA operative Sandy Crowder and Shea Whigham as fellow bureaucrat Gary Ruzak, who contribute to the depth and intensity of the film. Pike, in particular, stands out, bringing her own influences into a highly complex character struggling under the weight of a male-dominated profession.

Beirut can be more accurately viewed not just as a thriller but also as a character study, which explores the protagonist's personal growth amid chaos, exploring Hamm's Skiles’ incredible transformation. The tale is about the unanticipated heroes that emerge from the bylanes of war and politics. It's about friendships that survive through severe trials and tribulations, even when allies become foes and lines blur in the fog of war.

From one perspective, Beirut is an exciting journey following Jon Hamm's character's immersion into a world he thought he had left behind, a world brimming with dangers and betrayals at every corner. On the other hand, Beirut captures broader themes like war and its aftermath, international politics, diplomacy, loyalty, and human resilience. The key lies in Tony Gilroy's deftly layered script and Brad Anderson's equally sensitive direction. The narrative is suspenseful, edgy, layered, and tragic in equal measures.

In conclusion, with Hamm's incredibly profound performance and a storyline that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, Beirut offers an uncompromising exploration of a complex political landscape and a talented man's fight against all odds to save a friend's life. The film serves as a suspenseful historical fiction that blends elements of action, drama, and tragedy, offering the audience far more than a generic spy thriller trope.