The Amateur is a movie I really wasn't sure what to expect going into. The trailers teased a potentially fun spy thriller, but it reached a point of overmarketing for me where I found myself rolling my eyes any time it previewed before something. While it held potential to be a fun spy thriller, it also looked like one that could fall down a formulaic path and leave a lot to be desired. I'm glad to report that this is a very fun time at the movies, even if it does have some flaws.
Rami Malek stars as Heller, a CIA decoder whose wife is killed in a terrorist attack while visiting London. Already holding a wealth of tech knowledge, Heller seeks training to hunt down the men who took his wife, while simultaneously uncovering the truth behind their doings. As a nerdy type, this revenge tale requires him to use his wits rather than the brute strength you might expect from someone on a path of vengeance.
One thing I will say for this movie, is that its cast is absolutely stacked. I'm never quite sure how I feel about Rami Malek as an actor (I don't care for his performance in Bohemian Rhapsody much at all), but I think this played really well to his strengths. There's an almost unhinged awkwardness as his character becomes more and more vengeful, and through both his delivery and his physical mannerisms he really settles into the character. The supporting cast is star studded, with Laurence Fishburne, Holy McCallany, Rachel Brosnahan, Jon Bernthal, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Caitriona Balfe. I wish Brosnahan, Bernthal, and Stuhlbarg all had more time to shine, but the other three add a great presence every time they're on screen.
There's less traditional action than your typical spy revenge movie, thanks mostly to our nerdy protagonist, but there still are some fight scenes sprinkled throughout. The real highlight is the different ways Heller takes out his enemies without using his fists. There are some wildly creative sequences that while somewhat over the top, make for a very entertaining ride. Narratively the film is very formulaic, but these fun set pieces make it still feel fresh. Visually it feels like your standard espionage fare, nothing special but very clean looking. Oscar winning composer Volker Bertlmann crafted the score here, and it is another highlight. It has some sonic similarities to his award winning score for All Quiet on the Western Front, but it has a kind of modern tech feel to it that really fit the story.
All in all, this isn't breaking any new ground, but it's a very fun spy thriller that we don't get enough of in theatres nowadays. I would absolutely recommend. 3.5/5
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