‘The Amateur’ Review: Rami Malek Transforms From CIA Desk Jockey Into Ace Field Agent in Preposterous but Entertaining Vengeance Thriller

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Charlie Heller swiftly transforms from a desk-bound CIA decryption and analysis expert to a versatile field agent, mastering explosives and staying one step ahead of both deadly mercenaries and suspicious Langley officials. This rapid transformation, coupled with his deep grief and thirst for justice, can be quite disorienting. Yet, it’s this intense drive characteristic of Rami Malek that makes it possible. Similarly, the requirements of a fast-paced, globe-trotting revenge thriller like “The Amateur” contribute to this implausibility, yet it still manages to be enjoyable despite its improbabilities.

James Hawes’ 1981 film adaptation of Robert Littell’s novel has elements that raise eyebrows due to its plot convenience and the unexpectedly clever protagonist outsmarting everyone effortlessly. However, what sets it apart is its authentic cinematic feel – a trait that may seem insignificant but stands out in today’s era of mass-produced streaming originals that appear as unoriginal copies of familiar multiplex films.

Year after year, Hollywood produced a number of polished, somewhat intellectual adult action thrillers, featuring big names navigating implausible dangers and vanquishing villains. However, these films have mostly become extinct, making it enjoyable to munch popcorn in spurts between exhilarating action sequences in exotic settings, despite the questionable fortune of the tech-savvy protagonist sometimes being tough to accept.

As a gamer, I’ve recently dived into a world that was originally crafted by Ken Nolan and Gary Spinelli based on espionage expert Littell’s book. This intriguing tale was previously brought to life in a 1981 Canadian movie starring John Savage and Christopher Plummer. However, the creators have given it a fresh twist, moving the action from its original Cold War setting to the current era, making it feel even more relevant and immersive for me as a player.

In a beautifully restored Virginia farmhouse, Malek’s character Charlie is happily married to Sarah (portrayed by Rachel Brosnahan). He spends his time in the garage attempting to fix up an old plane that Sarah bought him as a birthday gift, which seems to serve little purpose beyond a poignant and perhaps overly sentimental final scene. If this plane ever held any substantial role in the plot, it appears to have been abandoned during production.

Since Charlie has a strong dislike for traveling, he decides not to join Sarah on her trip to London for her conference. Unfortunately, a terrible event occurs when she is unexpectedly kidnapped during a terrorist attack. At work, his superior, Moore (Hoyt McCallany), who leads a covert special operations team, summons Charlie into the office of CIA director Alice O’Brien (Julianne Nicholson). There, he is forced to witness the abduction and killing of his wife on CCTV footage.

Despite his grief, Charlie feels aggravated by the administrative barrier erected by Moore and his associate Caleb (Danny Sapani), who urge him to stick to his assigned role and leave the investigation to them. However, Charlie conducts independent research using resources from the CIA database. Later, when he presents solid evidence identifying three individuals directly linked to Sarah’s death, they refuse to pursue these killers, instead opting to dismantle the entire network. Yet, Charlie senses something suspicious is at play.

Utilizing confidential data anonymously provided by a cryptic online source called Inquiline, Charlie unearths incriminating classified details that link Moore and Caleb to a lethal drone attack in Islamabad – initially blamed on rebels – where American allies perished. He understands the CIA’s relentless nature well enough to realize this discovery puts him at risk.

Charlie coerces Moore into attending field training so that he can personally pursue Sarah’s killers. To ensure safety, he installs a self-destruct mechanism to reveal damaging information to prominent investigative reporters if anything untoward happens to him. He is subsequently dispatched to Camp Peary, where stern ex-colonel Henderson (Laurence Fishburne) guides his training.

The script doesn’t push Charlie into becoming like Jason Bourne entirely. Initially, he struggles with firearms and Henderson warns him that he won’t turn into a killer. However, he demonstrates quick learning skills in the assembly of IEDs. When he realizes his safety measures against Moore and Caleb pursuing him aren’t sufficient, Charlie escapes the training center with a collection of counterfeit passports hidden in his pockets. His proficiency in cyber security enables him to conceal his movements effectively.

In the course of tracking down the criminals, Charlie journeys from London to Paris, Marseille, Madrid, Istanbul, eventually meeting Inquiline (played by Caitríona Balfe). It’s revealed that the solitary assassin is driven by a personal tragedy that Inquiline endures. The narrative features lighthearted moments such as Charlie learning lock-picking techniques from a YouTube tutorial (“Don’t forget to like and subscribe!”), while simultaneously breaking into an apartment, or employing facial recognition technology to throw off Moore and Caleb about his location.

Instead of pondering over the intricate sequences that lead Charlie from one tight spot to another, while being pursued by Henderson and later another agent, it’s more enjoyable to simply immerse yourself in the unfolding events as they play out in Romania and Russia.

Thankfully, Hawes effectively leverages his extensive background in directing popular TV series such as Slow Horses, Black Mirror, Snowpiercer, Penny Dreadful, and Doctor Who to craft exciting action sequences filled with increasing chaos. A sophisticated Parisian pollen clinic serves as a unique setting for weaponizing allergens, while a suspended swimming pool in a luxury hotel between buildings offers an especially dramatic watery fight scene.

To maintain Charlie’s relatability as an everyday character, it’s beneficial that his kills are usually performed at a distance. However, the final scene on a boat in the Baltic Sea, starring Michael Stuhlbarg as a deeply thoughtful Russian mercenary, pushes credibility to its absolute limit.

Stuhlbarg is among a few talented yet underutilized actors such as Nicholson, Brosnahan (whose part mainly involves flashbacks and melancholic daydreams), Jon Bernthal portraying a rugged CIA operative who values Charlie’s technical abilities. Unlike Balfe, McCallany, and Fishburne, who receive sufficient screen time and character development, Rami Malek dominates the show less due to limited presence in The Amateur.

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Stuhlbarg is one of several skilled but underused actors like Nicholson, Brosnahan (whose role is mostly confined to flashbacks and wistful fantasies), Jon Bernthal as a tough CIA operative who appreciates Charlie’s tech prowess. Balfe, McCallany, and Fishburne are the only ones with enough screen time and character development to keep The Amateur from becoming Rami Malek’s one-man show.

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Stuhlbarg is part of a group of top-notch yet underutilized actors, including Nicholson, Brosnahan (whose role mainly consists of flashbacks and sad daydreams), and Jon Bernthal as a rugged CIA field operative who finds Charlie’s tech abilities valuable. Unlike Balfe, McCallany, and Fishburne, who receive ample screen time and character development, Rami Malek’s presence in The Amateur is more limited.

In summary, Rami Malek delivers an outstanding performance in this film, effectively portraying Charlie’s grief, quick wit, composure under pressure, unwavering focus, and steadfast belief in justice over revenge. The character suits Malek well, offering a refreshing twist on the revenge thriller genre as our hero relies more on intellect rather than physical force or weapons. Instead of the typical Jason Statham-style brawls, it’s enjoyable to witness a change in pace with a protagonist who uses his mind rather than his fists.

Movie critic Martin Ruhe offers a visually appealing blend of slick and rough aesthetics. Stunning location work in France and Turkey, particularly during an exciting chase along the Istanbul waterfront, is noteworthy. England adequately represents the other locations. The key factor that keeps the action pulsating is a powerful and impactful score by Volker Bertelmann. Fans longing for ’90s spy thrillers might find this a satisfactory choice.

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2025-04-08 19:25