The Amateur - Movie Review

Summary

In *The Amateur*, Rami Malek stars as an IT expert turned vigilante, seeking revenge for his wife's murder using his tech skills. The film blends espionage and revenge, with Malek navigating a web of blackmail and alliances. While the premise is compelling, the movie falters with its pacing, predictable plot, and underdeveloped characters, like John Bernthal’s. Although there are some exciting moments, it feels more like a streaming movie than a theatrical release. The film ultimately fails to live up to its potential, relying too heavily on familiar tropes from better spy thrillers, leaving little lasting impact.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rami Malek stars in *The Amateur*, a revenge-driven thriller where his character uses technology and his wits instead of violence to get justice.
• 😀 The movie has a strong tech angle, with the protagonist working as an IT guy for the CIA, using his knowledge to track and eliminate targets.
• 😀 The film features an interesting mentor dynamic with Laurence Fishburne, who tests Rami Malek’s character's ability to kill.
• 😀 Rami Malek's casting as a tech-savvy, revenge-seeking protagonist is well-received, as he effectively portrays someone out of their depth in a violent world.
• 😀 There are a few intense chase and action sequences, though they don't quite live up to their potential or the thriller genre as a whole.
• 😀 The movie's pacing suffers due to structural issues and underdeveloped characters, leading to missed emotional impact.
• 😀 Some characters, like John Bernthal's, are underused and don’t resonate with the audience despite their significance in the book.
• 😀 A major issue with the film is that key plot points, like the coolest death scene, are shown in the trailer, which diminishes their impact in the actual film.
• 😀 Despite some strong moments, the movie ends up feeling more like a cut-down, streaming-ready film rather than a theatrical experience.
• 😀 The movie struggles to balance being a fun, kill-happy revenge flick with a cerebral spy thriller, ultimately failing to excel in either area.
• 😀 *The Amateur* highlights the trend of movies now being made with streaming in mind rather than for theatrical release, making it feel like it will be forgotten quickly.

Q & A

What is the central theme of 'The Amateur' as described in the transcript?

'The Amateur' is primarily about a tech-savvy individual seeking revenge, using his skills in IT and wits rather than physical violence, as he embarks on a quest to avenge the murder of his wife.

Who are some of the notable actors in 'The Amateur'?

The movie features actors such as Ramy Malik, who plays the main character, Rachel Brosahan, John Bernthal, and Lawrence Fishburn.

How does Ramy Malik's character differ from traditional action movie heroes?

Ramy Malik's character is an IT guy who isn't a natural killer. His journey revolves around using his technological expertise and wits to eliminate his wife's killers, unlike traditional action heroes who rely on physical combat or weaponry.

What role does Lawrence Fishburne play in the movie?

Lawrence Fishburne's character serves as a mentor, training Ramy Malik's character in how to carry out the tasks necessary for his revenge. He also gives Malik's character a test involving a gun to see if he's capable of killing.

What criticism does the reviewer give regarding the trailer?

The reviewer criticizes the trailer for revealing too much, particularly showcasing the most exciting death scenes, which diminishes the suspense and impact in the actual movie.

What problem does the movie face in terms of character development?

The movie suffers from underdeveloped characters, with several important figures from the book failing to get fleshed out in the film, leading to missed emotional connections with the audience.

How does the movie's pacing affect its impact?

The pacing of the movie is uneven, with some scenes feeling unnecessarily extended, and others abruptly cut. This lack of consistency hinders the movie from being as engaging or impactful as it could have been.

How does the review describe the film's overall tone?

The review describes the film as trying to blend both a fun, action-packed spy thriller with a more cerebral, thought-provoking narrative. However, it ultimately fails to execute either tone effectively, leaving the film feeling unremarkable.

What is the reviewer's take on the film’s suitability for streaming?

The reviewer believes that 'The Amateur' is better suited for streaming rather than a theatrical release, suggesting that the film's lack of depth and reliance on familiar tropes makes it more fitting for casual home viewing.

How does the reviewer feel about the current state of movie releases?

The reviewer expresses sadness over the trend where movies are increasingly made with streaming in mind, rather than for the theatrical experience, which diminishes their overall impact and memorability.