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Beirut is a political thriller movie released in 2018, directed by Brad Anderson and written by Tony Gilroy. The movie stars Jon Hamm, who plays the character of a former diplomat, named Mason Skiles. Jay Potter and Khalid Benchagra also feature in prominent supporting roles. The movie is set in Beirut, Lebanon, during the early 1980s when the city was in the midst of civil war. Mason Skiles, a charismatic US diplomat, is stationed in Beirut, where he is respected by his peers and admired by the locals. He is seen as a man with deep knowledge and understanding of the region and its people. However, a tragic event rips apart Mason's perfect life leaving him demoralized and lost.

Ten years later, Mason is living a dull life in Boston, away from the turmoil of Beirut. He is working as a mediator for labor disputes and spends his evenings drinking heavily in bars. But Mason's life changes when he is approached by the CIA to negotiate the release of a former colleague, who has been kidnapped by a group of militants in Lebanon. Mason is hesitant at first but is convinced by the CIA that he is the only one who can bring the kidnapped man back home safely.

Mason travels to Beirut, which is now a shell of its former self. The city has been split into zones controlled by different factions, and war rages on the streets. Mason is met by a fellow diplomat named Cal, played by Jay Potter, who is now working for the CIA. Cal is the one who introduces Mason to the militants who have kidnapped his friend, and thus begins the tense and nail-biting negotiations that form the crux of the movie.

Khalid Benchagra plays the role of a militant leader, named Karim, who is heading the group that has kidnapped Mason's former colleague. Karim is a complex character, and Benchagra delivers an amazing performance, bringing out the shades of gray that make Karim a compelling villain. Karim is not a one-dimensional antagonist; he has his reasons for carrying out the kidnappings, and Mason can't help but empathize with him.

The movie's plot is full of twists and turns, as Mason tries to navigate the delicate political landscape of Beirut to negotiate the release of his friend. The city is a powder keg, and any wrong move could result in explosive consequences. The negotiations take place in a dilapidated apartment building, which serves as a tense battleground for the players.

The movie's political backdrop is also fascinating, as it touches upon the geopolitical turmoil of the middle east during the 1980s. The movie provides an insight into what it was like to be a US diplomat in Beirut in those days when the city was witnessing one of the bloodiest conflicts in history.

Overall, Beirut is an excellent political thriller that takes you on an intense ride through the dusty streets of Beirut. Jon Hamm, Jay Potter, and Khalid Benchagra deliver memorable performances, and the movie's direction by Brad Anderson is top-notch. If you're a fan of suspense movies, Beirut is a definite must-watch.

Beirut is a 2018 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 69.