Review of Beirut (2018) by Edeltraud — 14 Apr 2018

One thing that bugs me about so many films with serious subject matter is the tendency to over use "darkness" to convey the mood. (Or rain, but not in this case.) Everything in shadows or washed out, even scenes in regular office spaces that no doubt are well lit.

Very few films in this genre dare to let the action take place in daylight -- which to me makes events more terrifying. An ordinary day, then ka-boom. This film was so (physically, environmentally) dark, with even people's faces in deep shadow 9/10ths of the time.

Just made me want to nap. While this was Hamm's film & he was good, the story could have been far more interesting to have more development in the characters -- such as the 13 year old's transformation to his adult role -- what happened, how, etc.

Same with Rosamond Pike's character -- just give me some insight into how she ended up there. Even Hamm's alcoholism seemed shallow & just a device -- why not have it affect his judgement or otherwise really interfere or shape his actions.

Everything he did seemed to work out just fine. I did like that the story seemed to unfold realistically but it walked the line between verite & tedium at some points. There were moments of intrigue & thrills, of course, but over all this treatment just left me feeling blah.