"West Beirut" is a plotless, non-story, non-documentary, meandering slice-of-life flick about a teenage boy's life in the early days of the Lebanese civil war when Beirut became divided into East and West. Although the film examines Beirut civilian life under the pall of war, it doesn't deal with any specific issue sufficiently to give it purpose. It's not particularly entertaining, evocative, or compelling; does not chronicle events well; is a poor study in history; and is void of romance, mayhem, comedy, suspense, or any of the things which people go to movies to see. "West Beirut" has the "feel" of a make-it-up-as-you-go low budget journeyman drama. Recommended only for those with special interest in Lebanon.
Review of West Beirut
