THE AMATEUR
Starring: Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan, Holt McCallany, Laurence Fishburne, Caitríona Balfe, Jon Bernthal, and Michael Stuhlbarg
Director: James Hawes
NICK
Despite leading roles in Mr. Robot and Bohemian Rhapsody, it feels like Hollywood doesn't know how to utilize Rami Malek. But maybe they finally nailed it with The Amateur, as my biggest takeaway was how well he fit the role of Charlie Heller. Besides that, it's another run-of-the-mill revenge story that wants to stand alongside the Bourne series, but is unfortunately missing the urgency needed to do so. Heller's intended opposition never feels formidable, which waters down the film and allows for lulls. It’s not bad, and I hope to see more of this from Malek, but it all feels a little amateur. No pun intended.
ADRIANO
The Amateur is a movie that plays out in the ways you would expect, and even with that, it is entertaining but not much else. It mostly works because the quirks of the protagonist play perfectly into Rami Malek's sensibilities as an actor, so he gives the movie a lot to work with. But the film is just so obvious. There is earned tension from the man-using-his-brain-instead-of-his-brawn concept, but everything you think will happen, does happen. The way-too-dark colour grade only adds to its ultimate forgettableness.
BODE
When I saw The Amateur on a Friday evening, my screening was surprisingly full. For essentially an old-school spy thriller that could’ve been turned into a limited series today, that was nice to witness. If only the film were more fun, and given how simple and ludicrous the plot is, it really should have been. It’s certainly watchable, thanks in part to a cast filled with reliable character actors, but ultimately shrug-worthy. Still, I’m glad it exists, if for nothing else than clear proof that the audience who yearns to see these kinds of films theatrically lives on.
AMARÚ
I hate to say it, but I just don’t believe Rami Malek as the relationship guy, even in an opposites-attract relationship like they set up in The Amateur. However, I do believe him as the intelligence guy. So watching him puzzle his way through a pretty intriguing revenge plot helped mask some of the more unbelievable scenes with usually believable actors (that was laid on too thick, Holt McCallany). Laurence Fishburne, Jon Bernthal, and Michael Stuhlbarg, however, are always believable, and solidified my attention throughout this weirdly paced, yet oddly entertaining film… if you can believe that.
