62% on Rotten Tomatoes (out of 120 reviews)
Runtime: 123 minutes
Directed by: James Hawes
Starring: Rami Malek, Holt McCallany, Laurence Fishburne, Jon Bernthal, Rachel Bosnahan
From: 20th Century Fox
A film seen mostly because recently I saw the original; yes, this movie remade a 1981 picture & the existence of the original The Amateur was completely unknown until a Letterboxd mutual mentioned it a few weeks ago. That movie was flawed yet fine, possessing a laid-back measured 70's-style pacing. Is it a spoiler to say that this remake has a more traditional and modern (for 2025) rhythm? There are some similarities, although plenty of differences also and one moment was a subversion for those that have seen the 1981 movie.
Rami Malek is a genius who works at the CIA, but with computers rather than out in the field. Once you see him with a gun, he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn! This year is apparently “movies devoted to spies or related fields where the lead is on the spectrum” as there's Black Bag, The Accountant Squared (well, that's how the title is presented in the trailer) and now The Amateur. Anyhow, Malek's Charles Heller is married to Rachel Brosnahan; she unfortunately had a thankless role as she's murdered as part of a hostage standoff and Heller wishes for revenge. His bosses won't acquiesce, but he's able to blackmail them as-shock of shocks-they have secrets they'd rather not make public.
The movie naturally isn't the most plausible yet it is a simple meat and potatoes sort of movie which isn't pretentious, doesn't try to be overly convoluted, isn't insufferable, doesn't shoehorn in unnecessary “humor,” and doesn't have a fourth act. Of course that alone doesn't guarantee success but in The Amateur, the film never devolves into boredom as our hero struggles with being an amateur (and his path of vengeance is questioned by others throughout) but realizes he doesn't need to use a gun to kill his targets.
Black Bag is more my speed when it comes to spy thrillers. That caveat out of the way, The Amateur is still a good time. The movie was an easy watch, featuring acceptable action along with a satisfactory score. “Not making me hate the movie” is actually a noteworthy achievement in this current cinema landscape. It also reminds me that one day I should see a movie featuring Rachel Brosnahan for more than a small part.
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