"The Amateur": A Misfired Spy Thriller That Misses Its Mark
Charlie (Rami Malek) is anything but an adrenaline junkie. Afflicted by a fear of flying and an aversion to risks, his wife, Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan), takes it upon herself to coax him out of his comfort zone. In an ironic twist, she gifts him an old Cessna plane, stowed away in a barn on their picturesque rural Virginia property, hoping this gesture will help him conquer his fears—a gesture that sets the stage for a harrowing journey.
From Timid Decoder to Relentless Avenger
As the protagonist in “The Amateur,” Charlie embodies timidity both at home and in his high-stakes role as a decoder at the CIA. However, everything changes when tragedy strikes. When Sarah is brutally murdered during a terrorist attack in London, Charlie’s world flips upside down. Fueled by grief and vengeance, he begins to discover a skill set that extends far beyond the moniker of a mere decoder, plunging him into a world fraught with danger and intrigue.
A Unique Spin on the Spy Genre
Directed by James Hawes of "Slow Horses" fame, “The Amateur” presents a fresh take on the spy thriller genre, inviting viewers to ponder, “What if Jason Bourne were a nerd?” Unlike Bourne, who suffers from amnesia, Charlie grapples with his own clumsiness in the world of espionage and a deep-seated reluctance to harm others. To avenge Sarah’s death, he must navigate these hurdles, elevating the stakes of his quest for justice.
Stellar Performances Buried in Mediocrity
While Rami Malek brings his signature brilliance to Charlie—a neurotic yet determined character with his haunted eyes perpetually scanning both physical and digital environments—the film itself suffers from a lackluster execution. “The Amateur” boasts an impressive supporting cast, including Holt McCallany and Julianne Nicholson as CIA executives, Laurence Fishburne as a grizzled trainer, and Jon Bernthal as a charismatic agent. Yet, despite the caliber of talent, the film remains frustratingly stagnant.
A Promising Start that Falters
The film begins with promise, as Charlie deftly investigates Sarah’s murder, leveraging his decoding skills to trace the events of that fateful day. When the CIA is slow to act, Charlie takes matters into his own hands, exploiting a stash of documents related to a malicious cover-up to secure field training. But as he delves into the European underbelly hunting down the mercenaries who ended Sarah’s life, the film begins to veer off course.
Stagnation in a World of Espionage
As Charlie embarks on his rogue mission, “The Amateur” loses momentum, lacking the suspense and thrill needed to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The narrative unfolds predictably, with little surprise or innovation. What should feel like a gripping vengeance tale becomes an exercise in tedium, as there’s minimal tension and Charlie’s exploits are laid out in a manner too transparent to evoke genuine excitement.
Underutilized Talents and Missed Opportunities
Bernthal’s performance is particularly noteworthy, yet his character is underdeveloped, amounting to little more than a brief cameo. Even the film’s attempts at emotional depth fall flat. Yes, Charlie professes his love for Sarah, insisting she “mattered,” but the audience is left wanting. Who was Sarah beyond her quirky gift-giving? The lack of background leaves viewers feeling detached from the emotional gravity of her death.
Conclusion: A Flawed Mission
Ultimately, “The Amateur” aspires to be an emotional odyssey wrapped in a thrilling narrative but fails to deliver on both fronts. Although it possesses a well-crafted exterior and fluid pacing—enhanced by a captivating score from Volker Bertelmann—the internal structure falters. With key elements of tension and suspense glaringly absent, the film offers little that feels innovative or engaging.
In a world brimming with gripping spy stories, “The Amateur” falls short of igniting passion, both for its protagonist and for the audience. In the end, we’re left to ponder: Will Charlie ever excel in this world of espionage, or should he just stick to decoding? This excursion into the spy genre remains more of a misfire than a hit—prompting viewers to search for a more thrilling adventure elsewhere.
