Opération Beyrouth

Gilroy’s classic that lacks sufficiently distinctive directing. Beirut in the 1980s was like a frying pan filled with hot oil and information was like a good cut of meat. A wreck of a political negotiator re-enters the game to recover a guy whose head is full of high-quality veal and who, coincidentally, killed the negotiator’s wife by mistake a few years prior… A classic Cold War clash of espionage agencies in the war-torn capital of Lebanon. Hamm is great – his role fits him like a glove. (03/08/2018)

A subtle film capturing the challenging situation in Lebanon during the 70s and 80s. However, with experienced names behind it (directed by Brad Anderson, written by Tony Gilroy, and starring Jon Hamm), I knew right away that it wouldn’t turn out to be a misstep. And “surprisingly,” it didn’t. The only thing that slightly puzzled me was the political dialogue, which might initially confuse viewers unfamiliar with what was happening in Lebanon during that time. I had the same issue, but eventually, I managed to piece together a basic understanding. The craftsmanship of the film can be described as flawless; the depiction of the nearly hopeless situation was executed perfectly, and Gilroy ensured the script was tight, so there were no missteps in that aspect either. The scheming and various intrigues from all involved confirmed that working in these agencies is not for the faint of heart. The actors delivered their standard performances, and while Jon Hamm may not be considered a heavily utilized actor, wherever he appears, it’s worth watching! A quality film with an old-school feel. I’m giving it 78%. (07/08/2019)

Since I watched two espionage dramas from Netflix production in a row, I had something to compare this with. Unlike The Angel, Beirut employs well-known actor stars – especially Rosamund Pike, but Jon Hamm is also good. But here the espionage is over and done with rather quickly and after that, nothing exciting happens that would knock you off your seat. And the ending doesn’t add much. Mildly interesting but forgettable. (21/05/2020)