"The Amateur": Rami Malek’s Revenge Thriller Falls Flat in Execution
If you thrive on the tension of cinematic thrillers, prepare to be left wanting more with The Amateur. This film, starring the talented Rami Malek, dips its toes into the murky waters of vengeance and justice. Yet, despite its intriguing premise, it ultimately lacks the punch that makes a revenge thriller captivating.
H2: Plot Overview: A Premise Full of Promise
From the outset, The Amateur introduces us to a narrative that seems ripe for intensity and intrigue. Sarah (played by the charming Rachel Brosnahan) and her husband Charles (Rami Malek) share a picture-perfect moment before she heads off to London for work. But in true thriller fashion, the tranquility is shattered when Sarah becomes a victim of a terrorist attack, leaving Charles heartbroken.
H3: A Man Transformed by Grief
In the wake of this tragedy, Charles embarks on an unconventional path: he boldly attempts to blackmail his corrupt employers into allowing him the chance to avenge Sarah’s untimely demise. This leads to a series of poorly trained escapades that, while meant to represent a grieving husband’s desperate quest for justice, often veer into the absurd.
The Amateur operates in a universe that feels delightfully naive. Corrupt officials seem to fear repercussions from the press, a notion that feels outdated and unrealistic in our current landscape. This approach lends the film a quaint charm but does little to excite modern audiences weary of outdated tropes.
H4: The Training Montage—Half-Hearted at Best
Charles receives what can best be described as a day of basic spy training from the hard-nosed agent Henderson (played by the formidable Laurence Fishburne). While the film attempts to explore the implications of revenge—conveying that taking a life can cost one’s soul—it quickly backtracks to the conventional belief that vengeance yields satisfaction.
H2: Characters: One-Dimensional Villains
As Charles traverses through Europe hunting down his wife’s murderers, we meet the film’s villains, who are disappointingly one-dimensional. Our antagonists are hardly fleshed out—they each come with a single quirk like paranoia or an affinity for rooftop pools, making their interactions with Charles bland and predictable. Sarah, meanwhile, exists merely as a plot device, serving as motivation for Charles’s journey rather than a character in her own right.
H3: Direction and Performances: A Mixed Bag
James Hawes, a director with a solid television pedigree, helms this feature after previous success with One Life. While the action sequences are technically adept, they lack the spark needed to resonate emotionally with viewers. The premise—a novice stepping into the shoes of a seasoned spy—should be rife with opportunities for tension and comedy, yet the film doesn’t capitalize on this potential.
Rami Malek’s performance is a highlight; his expression serves as a haunting mirror to Charles’s inner turmoil, exuding depth where the writing falters. Unfortunately, the supporting cast, including Julianne Nicholson as the new CIA director, appears more as plot points than real characters, limiting their impact.
H2: Final Thoughts: A Mediocre Miss
Ultimately, The Amateur feels like half-hearted attempt at constructing a gritty revenge saga. While it may not rank among the year’s worst, its underlying mediocrity keeps it from making a lasting impression. The inherent skills of actors like Malek and Fishburne are overshadowed by a script that fails to connect deeply with its audience.
If you’re seeking an action-packed thriller with real stakes, you might be better off exploring more promising alternatives in the genre.
For more insights on exciting espionage films, check out The Wrap’s best modern spy thriller list.
The Amateur is set for theatrical release on April 11, 2023, and while it may be worth a watch for die-hard fans of Malek, don’t expect it to leave you breathless.
