Beirut (2018)

Elevator Pitch.

Mason Skiles a former diplomat, now a labour arbitrator in New England, gets a call to give a lecture in Lebanon, where ten years earlier events had resulted in the death of his wife and the termination of his career. He is aware that the reason for the visit may not be the lecture, and sure enough, when he arrives he finds he is to negotiate the release of his friend Cal, a CIA operative who is being held by an obscure terrorist group. As things progress the reasons for his choice as negotiator become clear but who can he trust?

Content.

Good times in Lebanon when Mason is a diplomat, gritty times back in the city seemingly at war with itself. There are shoot-outs, car bombs and a lot of stumbling about in dark streets for the hero, while the Americans in the embassy plot his downfall. He is, they say, an alcoholic after all. Negotiations with the Israelis, the terrorists holding Cal and the PLO, resulting in almost constant tension. A female CIA operative is on his side, but not in his bed, so no nudity or sex but a lot of drinking.