by Austen Terry, Contributing Writer
Spy movies haven’t always been my go-to, but I’ve picked up a few to watch in the last few years. In the day of technology, guns aren’t always the spy’s go-to weapon — an agent who can solve their issues without using guns will get my attention. So the new spy thriller, The Amateur, immediately got my attention and not just because of Rami Malek. These flicks are all about the agent being a tough guy, but what happens when a computer programmer is after you?
The Amateur tells the story of Charlie Heller (Malek), a CIA decoder. When his wife Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan) is killed in London he crashes out. His supervisor Director Moore (Holt McCallany) tells him they are doing what they can, but Heller decides that’s not enough, and that he needs to take it into his own hands to catch his wife’s killers. Moore sends handler Henderson (Laurence Fishburne) after Heller, but Heller always manages to slip his grasp. He will stop at nothing to take down the people responsible for his wife’s death, and when dealing with a tech genius, there’s no limit to where he will go.
Ken Nolan and Gary Spinelli bring Robert Littel’s novel to the screen, with James Hawes directing. The movie is engaging throughout. While it’s a bit predictable, it does keep you guessing. One poor thing was the advertising — trailers need to show less. For a two-hour movie, it felt like I knew what was happening beforehand, but it ultimately takes a good movie to keep you engaged. Even though one-man revenge stories have been told to death, this one is still entertaining.
Malek is an amazing actor, though this role probably was second nature to him after Mr. Robot. His way of playing Heller’s anxiety is clever, as he’s always on edge, as he should be since he’s out of his element. The way Malek uses Heller’s panic keeps the viewer in the same headspace; you feel for him. He may not be intimidating up against Fishburne or McCallany, but he does have the upper hand. It almost feels like the studio just went to Malek and said, here’s a role we think you would be great for.
The cast’s chemistry is also very good. With some of the other movies and series Hawes has directed — Slow Horses, Black Mirror, and Snowpiercer, to name a few — I can see why. It is a joy seeing Brosnahan with Malek; their relationship shows she is perfect for this summer’s turn as Lois Lane. The Amateur has a great cast and makes you feel the tension throughout. When you can feel the stress, anxiety, and anger of the cast, that’s what makes a good thriller.
The Amateur is a better movie than I was expecting, and the cast makes up for any predictable moments. The film won’t get awards buzz, and probably will get lost in the shuffle, but it’s worth seeing.
Rating: High Side of It Was Just Okay
The Amateur is currently playing in theaters
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