“The Amateur” follows Charlie Heller, a CIA decoder who embarks on a dangerous trek across the globe to track down those responsible for the killing of his wife.
Despite not getting much time with the two characters together, “The Amateur” does a good job of establishing the connection between Charlie and his wife, Sarah. Their love is the foundation of the film, and it’s carried through the runtime in flashbacks and memories.
Rami Malek plays a broken, subdued character. His performance isn’t groundbreaking, but it gets the job done. He emotes just enough to be a relatable individual, but he never goes as big or bold as I had hoped. Rachel Brosnahan plays a small role as Sarah, but she certainly makes her mark.
“The Amateur” has a well-rounded cast… to a fault. Caitríona Balfe is well utilized in the film. Jon Bernthal and Laurence Fishburne also appear. Both deliver strong performances as usual, but their presence feels forced. Bernthal’s character, specifically, was completely unnecessary, and Fishburne reappears randomly until the very end.
This, along with other issues, leads to the film’s biggest problem — it’s too long. Large portions of the 123-minute runtime are spent watching Malek look at a computer screen or walk around. After a certain point, it becomes repetitive.
“The Amateur” is at its best when the stakes are high. The booming score, ground-level atmosphere and committed performances generate real tension when it counts.
This is a true globe-trotting adventure. While the locations in many movies feel fabricated, this one leans into authenticity. The flick has a gritty nature, as Malek’s character navigates the streets in a variety of settings. By taking a hands-on approach, “The Amateur” maintains a sense of realism even as it stretches the limits of plausibility.
“The Amateur” is an OK movie, but it could’ve been so much better. Several members of a talented cast are wasted, and the story quickly becomes repetitive in this bloated revenge thriller. The film has its moments, but they’re few and far between.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
