The Amateur review: Spectacular set-pieces can’t make up for a sub-standard script

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A star rating of 2 out of 5.

a CIA analyst, devastated by loss, embarks on a vengeful crusade. Transitioning from online activist to field operative could be the description. One might compare it to timid Benji, Simon Pegg’s character in the Mission: Impossible series, temporarily replacing Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt as he pursues villains. It’s no surprise that actor Rami Malek was intrigued by this adaptation of Robert Littell’s 1981 novel, which was previously adapted into a lesser-known TV movie starring Christopher Plummer.

Frankly, Malek has faced difficulties in securing strong leading roles beyond his award-winning portrayal of Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody. Instead, he’s primarily accepted supporting parts, such as the one in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. Regrettably, he’s been disappointed more than satisfied – this was particularly noticeable in the James Bond film No Time To Die, where his performance as bio-terrorist Safin fell flat.

It’s likely that nothing he’s encountered since has compared to the quality of Mr. Robot, the series about cybercriminals, which initially brought him to our attention.

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In the storyline, the amateur role provides Malek an opportunity to portray an unconventional hero. This character goes by Charles Heller, a CIA cryptographer stationed at Langley, Virginia. Despite his exceptional abilities in his profession, he’s not a field operative. However, everything changes when his wife, Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), is tragically killed in a terrorist attack in London.

Overwhelmed with anger, he yearns for those responsible to face justice, yet his superior officers at the CIA are reluctant to deploy resources or act upon the swiftly gathered intel. Aggravated, he pleads for training in the art of assassination, so he can take matters into his own hands and mete out justice himself.

In the end, his hesitant superiors finally agree to his requests, connecting him with Colonel Robert Henderson, played by Laurence Fishburne, who evaluates Charlie’s abilities. Unfortunately, he is a poor marksman and lacks the courage to pull the trigger when confronting an adversary directly. Determined not to quit, Charlie breaks free from Henderson’s control and flees to Paris. There, he embarks on a mission to capture one of the four terrorists using an unconventional method – overwhelming the asthmatic villain with pollen (yes, you heard that right).

Unfortunately, while Charlie assumes the role of a hitman, traversing cities like Paris, Madrid, and Istanbul, it’s here where The Amateur begins to falter. Beyond the questionable moral grounds of his vengeful quest, Malek’s character becomes entangled in a plot that grows progressively murky and poorly managed. This plot revelation uncovers a high-level conspiracy within the CIA involving covert Black Ops missions. However, logic starts to wane as secondary characters mysteriously appear and disappear (Jon Bernthal’s operative being the most noticeable example).

Previously, British director James Hawes was successful with the heart-wrenching true tale “One Life,” featuring Sir Anthony Hopkins. However, he’s currently struggling to maintain control over the storyline. It goes without saying that the action sequences are impressive. For instance, when the character Charlie confronts one of the antagonists, who is positioned above a glass-bottomed hotel pool suspended sixteen stories high, spanning the building like a bridge – this scene alone could easily be featured in a Mission: Impossible film. Yet, even an outstanding action sequence cannot compensate for a weak script.

Though Malek’s skills manage to hold your interest amidst a disorganized narrative, it’s worth noting that he isn’t working entirely alone; he receives assistance throughout the process.

Actress Caitríona Balfe from Belfast demonstrates her versatility as a widow providing help to Charlie in the field, a role that mirrors his own loss. Additionally, actors such as Holt McCallany (from Mindhunter), Michael Stuhlbarg (A Serious Man), and Julianne Nicholson (Mare of Easttown) make brief appearances, each portraying characters who have experienced similar heartache.

In truth, the movie’s success largely hinges on my shoulders, and despite my best efforts, I couldn’t guide this uneven, questionable spy narrative to a smoother path.

Or:

It was ultimately up to me to carry this film, and though I tried, I couldn’t manage to smooth out its bumps and issues within the problematic espionage plot.

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2025-04-08 19:04