- THE AMATEUR
- Starring: Rami Malek, Laurence Fishburne
- Directed by: James Hawes
- Rating: PG-13
- Running Time: 2 hrs 2 mins
- 20th Century Studios
Our score: 2 out of 5
There is a saying that everything after Shakespeare is redundant. Perhaps, but originality coupled with creativity in the non-independent/foreign language film universe has become an endangered species. Major studios are quick to attach a number 2, or 3, or 4, etc. at the end of a title. Animated classics are being turned into live-action versions at every turn as part of a money grab. So, when the trailer images of the revenge crime thriller “The Amateur” first flickered across the silver screen at the movie theater, I could not help but be excited as it appeared to be something different. Maybe unique even if it was based upon the 1981 novel of the same name by American novelist Robert Littell. However, I found myself disappointed.
“The Amateur,” which was first adapted to the Canadian silver screen in 1981 starring John Savage and Christopher Plummer, comes across as amateurish. Directed by James Hawes (“One Life”), it is filled with more plot holes than a downtown side street after a season of winter plowing and salt spreading. Relationships are underdeveloped. Character motivations are sketchy at best. Some characters come and go without reason. The action is flimsy, and the suspense is near non-existent because you know from almost the get-go who the real bad guy is, which is partly due to casting an actor who typically plays villains.
In brief, because I don’t want to waste too much of your time, Charlie Heller (Oscar winner Rami Malek, “Bohemian Rhapsody”) is a brilliant CIA agent who works in its Decryption and Analysis division. One day, he receives encrypted files from an anonymous source. In those files is incriminating evidence that implicates CIA Deputy Director Alex Moore (Holt McCallany, “The Wrath of Man”) in acts that amount to treason. Soon thereafter, Charlie’s wife, Sarah (two-time Golden Globe winner Rachel Brosnahan, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) is killed in a bank robbery gone wrong in Europe.
Determined to go after the killers himself, Charlie blackmails Deputy Director Moore into letting him get training under no-nonsense Col. Robert Henderson (Oscar nominee Laurence Fishburne, “The Matrix”). However, it becomes clear to Col. Henderson that Charlie cannot handle a gun or even has the makeup to kill someone. In the meantime, Deputy Director Moore puts out an order for Col. Henderson to eliminate Charlie. The mistake they all make with Charlie is underestimating him as he sets out alone to Europe to track down those responsible for murdering his wife.
Director Hawes makes it clear that Charlie is haunted by the memory of his wife, but he never builds up their relationship enough to help us feel what he is going through. The lack of suspense as to who the real villain is adds to a sense of boredom while watching the film. Furthermore, the action and elaborate schemes of vengeance are less than thrilling. (I would recommend watching “Jason Bourne” or “Taken” instead.) Henderson’s motivations are all over the place and Jon Bernthal of “The Accountant” and “The Punisher” fame is completely wasted with a brief role that leaves you scratching your head over. Lastly, while Malek dove into his role, his performance is underwhelming. Disappointment is the best one-word description.
“The Amateur” receives ★★ out of five.