Movie Review: Rami Malek Takes on a Cold world in ‘The Amateur’
Reviewed by Jeffrey Sanzel
When it comes to the thrilling landscape of cinema, few storytelling devices resonate quite like revenge. Year after year, filmmakers dive into this well-worn trope, crafting narratives where an ordinary protagonist embarks on a relentless quest to rectify a personal tragedy. It’s a familiar recipe: a hero, often armed with newfound tenacity, faces off against the forces of evil, allowing audiences to indulge in a visceral sense of justice. In this vein, Rami Malek stars in the latest offering from the genre, The Amateur.
From Page to Screen: The Legacy of Robert Littell
Robert Littell, a veteran journalist at Newsweek during the Cold War, has long been revered for his gripping spy novels. From his debut, The Defection of A.J. Lewinter (1973), to his most recent work, A Plague on Both Your Houses: A Novel in the Shadow of the Russian Mafia (2024), Littell’s storytelling prowess shines. This time, he teams up with Diana Maddox to adapt his own 1981 novel, giving new life to The Amateur on the big screen—although the current remake seems to lose much of its predecessor’s moral depth.
A Plot Overview: Grief and Retribution
In The Amateur, we meet Charles Heller (Rami Malek), a seemingly unassuming CIA cryptographer whose quiet life is shattered when his wife, Sarah Horowitz (Rachel Brosnahan), is tragically taken in a botched arms deal. Fueled by grief, Heller transforms from a soft-spoken bureaucrat into a man on a mission—determined to track down and punish the four terrorists responsible for his wife’s gruesome death.
Heller’s journey takes him across Europe’s iconic cities, from Paris to Madrid, and culminates at the eerie shores of the Baltic Sea. In this quest, he employs his intellect as a weapon, leveraging a cover-up involving drone strikes to blackmail his superior, Alex Moore (Holt McCallany), into providing crucial intel. Under Moore’s reluctant guidance, Heller undergoes training with veteran operative Colonel Robert Henderson (Laurence Fishburne), as he sets out on a solitary hunt for justice.
Rami Malek in a scene from ‘The Amateur’. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios
A Missed Opportunity for Depth
Despite the promising setup, The Amateur often struggles to rise above its predictable script. What once held layers of complexity in Littell’s original work has been distilled into a run-of-the-mill thriller filled with cliché elements. The deeper themes—such as the connections to the Holocaust and insights into the enigmatic character known as "the Professor"—are summarily dismissed. Even Heller’s intellectual curiosity about Shakespeare is watered down, leaving behind a protagonist that feels static and one-dimensional.
While some moments capture the tension of a tech-driven world—surveillance cameras looming ominously overhead—these themes fail to elevate the narrative, instead feeling like backdrop paraphernalia rather than integral components of the story.
Star Power Wasted: Performances in Review
Rami Malek, acclaimed for his multifaceted performances, particularly as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody, brings a certain weight to the role of Heller. However, his portrayal here is disappointingly subdued, offering little emotional range. Apart from a poignant scene with his wife’s suitcase, the character seems devoid of life, leading viewers to question if this role simply serves as a bridge between more impactful performances for Malek.
Rachel Brosnahan, too, finds herself trapped in a mere supporting role, limited to fleeting flashbacks and memories that do little to showcase her talents. Meanwhile, Laurence Fishburne’s brief appearances leave a sense of unfulfilled potential, hinting at an on-screen hero that never materializes.
Caitriona Balfe does her best to breathe life into her role as Inquiline, though the screenplay provides her scant opportunities to craft a compelling character. Even Jon Bernthal’s portrayal as “The Bear” cannot fully ignite the film’s spark, appearing instead as an afterthought in its convoluted plot.
Final Thoughts: A Bloodless Spymaster Drama
Ultimately, The Amateur trudges through its two-hour runtime without delivering the catharsis or dramatic payoff that audiences crave. The film’s concluding moments feel rushed, culminating in a predictable resolution that leaves viewers bewildered rather than satisfied. As scenes shift from high-stakes chases to awkward, humor-laden concluding exchanges, you’re left with a sensation that—despite the constant action—nothing meaningful has transpired.
The Amateur stands as a testament to what could have been: an espionage drama rich with intrigue that instead falters into a generic outing. Currently rated PG-13, it is now showing in local theaters, serving as a reminder that even the best talents can find themselves in uninspired narratives.
So, if you’re in search of an edge-of-your-seat experience that offers both thrills and depth, The Amateur may fall short of expectations. Instead, look back at Rami Malek’s earlier works for performances that truly captivate and resonate.
