“The Amateur” Review: An Unsafe World Unfolds
For film enthusiasts craving a mix of espionage, action, and complex emotional undercurrents, “The Amateur” offers an initial thrill, but ultimately descends into disillusionment.
A Promising Start
“The Amateur” kicks off with a sleek veneer and captivating premise. We meet Charlie Heller (Rami Malek), a brilliant C.I.A. cryptographer whose intellect is highlighted in the film’s opening moments. As he bids farewell to his wife Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan), who is heading to London for work, the stage is set for a tale steeped in intrigue. Charlie soon unravels a series of encrypted files that uncover rogue operations globally, ordered by a high-ranking agency official, leading to tragic civilian casualties. The plot thickens when a heartbreaking turn of events strikes, and Charlie learns of Sarah’s untimely death due to an attack at her hotel in London.
The Journey of Revenge
With a solid setup in place, we follow Charlie on a quest for vengeance. However, as his story unfolds, the narrative begins to stagnate, lacking the dynamic momentum one would expect. Charlie devises a scheme to receive covert training in operatives’ skills from his CIA superiors, under the stern watch of Robert Henderson (Laurence Fishburne). Amidst the cloak-and-dagger antics, a familiar trope emerges: a man burdened with knowledge that must be silenced.
Genre Blending: Spy and Conspiracy Thrills
Based on Robert Littell’s gripping 1981 novel, “The Amateur” serves as an intersection between vigilante spy flick and conspiracy thriller. Drawing from the rich tradition of its genre, the film contains numerous elements typical of its predecessors—an obliterated partner, an enigmatic informant, and adrenaline-fueled chases across foreign lands. Thanks to cinematographer Martin Ruhe and director James Hawes, the film presents a haunting visual landscape brimming with meaning and tension. Malek delivers an understated performance as Charlie, which makes his moments of genuine emotion resonate deeply. The film features an ensemble cast that includes Jon Bernthal, Catriona Balfe, Holt McCallany, Julianne Nicholson, and Michael Stuhlbarg—each contributing their unique flair to the narrative.
A Sluggish Execution
Despite the film’s intriguing setup, there’s a sense of profundity that eludes “The Amateur.” While it aims to delve into the moral complexities surrounding revenge and grief, the screenplay by Ken Nolan and Gary Spinelli unfortunately falls short of its ambitious aspirations. The film gradually becomes a repetitive experience, with Charlie’s narrow escapes growing tiresome. It feels as though the kinetic energy that was so promising in the beginning begins to wane, leading to a frustrating sense of stagnation—often criticized in the film industry as a "nothingburger."
Echoes of Paranoia in Cinema
The finest paranoid thrillers, like “Three Days of the Condor,” “Klute,” and “The Conversation,” emerged from a time of societal distrust in the 1970s, reflecting an era rife with political scandals and a fading sense of security. Those classic films spoke to audiences by mirroring anxieties about the government and societal stability—an echoing sentiment likely felt by today’s viewers given the world’s current state.
However, “The Amateur” struggles with its identity. While Charlie exhibits technological savvy, his clumsiness in spycraft detracts from the film’s intended gravitas. The storyline culminates in an anticlimactic ending that leaves viewers feeling more perturbed than enlightened—prompting a collective shrug instead of the cathartic punch that thrillers often deliver.
Ultimately Unfulfilled
While there’s a niche for films attempting to capture the essence of modern paranoid thrillers, “The Amateur” may have best served as a distraction during a long-haul flight rather than a marquee cinematic experience.
The Amateur
Rated PG-13 for action sequences, explosions, and occasional strong language. Running time: 2 hours 3 minutes. Now playing in theaters.
For further exploration of thrillers that resonate equally with tension and psychological depth, consider checking out some of the top films from the genre in this New York Times piece.
