The Snapshot: A thoughtful, well-built ensemble of actors elevates a thin, surprisingly small-scale spy story to make The Amateur more exciting than it first appears
The Amateur
7 out of 10
PG, 2hrs 3mins. Spy Thriller Drama.
Directed by James Hawes.
Starring Rami Malek, Laurence Fishburne, Caitríona Balfe, Holt McCallany, Jon Bernthal, Rachel Brosnahan and Michael Stuhlbarg.
Now Playing at Galaxy Cinemas Sault Ste. Marie.
It’s not often in spy movies things go exactly according to plan. That’s just one of the ways that the new thriller The Amateur is so beautifully strange.
For audiences looking to see a gripping action movie with James Bond like stunts and production values, they should be prepared for severe disappointment. But if you’re comfortable with a slow burning, sombre mission led by an extremely talented ensemble of actors, this film has some excellent drama on display.
Carried over from Robert Littell’s 1981 novel of the same name, The Amateur starts with an outstanding story premise: a shy, CIA code breaker named Charlier Heller (played masterfully by Rami Malek) decides he wants to leave his desk and become a real field agent to get revenge on bad guys who killed his wife during a terror attack.
What follows is Charlie’s training and subsequent rouge missions around the world to hunt down the bad guys and take down some CIA corruption while he’s at it. It’s a great story and clear set-up for a high stakes man hunt.
In terms of plotting, it’s straightforward as can be and the dialogue writing is as strong as the cast performing the script. James Hawes also offers solid direction in capturing the thoughtfulness of Charlie’s work.
Thankfully, the star performance of Rami Malek (best known for his Oscar-winning turn in 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody as Freddie Mercury) is so compelling, smart and raw that the story’s formulaic structure is secondary to the grit Malek has invested in showcasing Charlie’s intelligence, fear and determination.
Read more here: Bohemian Rhapsody is a real rock star - Review
Unfortunately, almost all of the most exciting and climactic moments in the film are the same ones that have been prevalent in the film’s trailers - meaning the audiences most engaged and intrigued by The Amateur have also had a significant amount of the movie spoiled before it starts.
All of his co-stars are equally terrific, with several sharp supporting turns as agents, operatives, baddies and CIA staff. If nothing else, The Amateur easily offers one of the strongest films ensembles of the year so far.
The film feels like an ordinary spy caper, but that shouldn’t undermine the movie’s consistency and quality of acting that makes this a worthwhile watch.
Just don’t get on Charlie Heller’s bad side.