Can Rami Malek Kill in ‘The Amateur’? The Bizarre Moral Dilemma of the Film

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The less experienced film critic poses an unusual query: Who is capable of murdering people on screen? Could mild-mannered, unassuming Rami Malek take the lives of multiple characters, or is this role reserved for rugged John Berenthal and seasoned professional Laurence Fishburne? This movie’s main conflict boils down to whether Malek’s diligent CIA analyst can engage in the same kind of glorified vigilante action as his peers. Regrettably, it fails to address the ethical question of hunting and killing criminals. Instead, it focuses on whether Malek’s character can perform the same level of violent acts as his more action-oriented colleagues. Ultimately, it offers no clear resolution and makes few meaningful comments overall.

The film “The Amateur” originates from the creative mind of director James Hawes, a renowned English television director known for numerous critically acclaimed episodes. One of his most notable works is arguably the iconic “Doctor Who” episode “The Empty Child,” considered one of the best horror installments in the series. Apart from this, his only other feature film is “One Life,” a heartwarming biography with no resemblance to his current venture.

“The Amateur” is actually an adaptation of a 1981 Robert Littell novel, initially slated for production in 2003 with Hugh Jackman attached, but after two decades of silence, it has resurfaced in a new avatar.

In a rephrased, natural, and easy-to-understand manner:

Rami Malek stars in the movie titled “The Amateur” as Charlie Heller, a man who is deeply passionate about decoding secrets for the CIA and his wife, Sarah. He excels at his job but faces indifference from his peers, particularly a cardboard cutout of Jon Bernthal’s character, nicknamed “The Bear.”

His life takes an unexpected turn when Sarah gets caught in a terrorist attack. Overwhelmed with grief, Heller becomes obsessed with finding and punishing the perpetrators. His superiors refuse to take immediate action, leading him to seek help from an encrypted friend overseas who provides him with evidence implicating the CIA in questionable activities.

With this leverage, Heller demands training from Laurence Fishburne’s character, a cynical veteran, and resources to carry out the dirty work himself. Everyone warns him against it, but no one directly advises him not to do it, focusing instead on his physical inability to execute the vigilante justice he desires.

The film poses an intriguing question: Can a computer whiz with CIA training, multiple aliases, and extensive knowledge of modern systems successfully track down and eliminate approximately five criminals? It’s interesting that the role of CIA computer experts in today’s covert operations is rarely discussed in the movie.

Director James Hawes
Writers Ken Nolan and Gary Spinelli
Stars Rami Malek, Laurence Fishburne, Rachel Brosnahan, Caitríona Balfe, Jon Bernthal
Runtime 123 Minutes
Release Date April 11, 2025

The movie’s plot is somewhat simplistic and lacks depth in its execution, resembling the predictable storylines found in high school movies where the underdog triumphs. It falls into the category of films about ordinary men taking up violence, a genre already brimming with titles. Yet, it often strays from the typical “everyman” character, focusing on Charlie Heller who occupies an ambiguous position between characters like Travis Bickle and Frank Castle. This ambiguity makes him less compelling as a character, veering more towards being just another type of spy rather than an ordinary man transformed into one. Furthermore, there are several inconsistencies in the film that suggest it was based on a peculiar book that didn’t translate fully to the screen.

Robert Littel’s “The Amateur” surpasses the movie version in certain aspects yet falls short in others. The film adaptation is similar to Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining,” as the creators kept only the basic concept. For instance, Heller in the movie spends his leisure time refurbishing an old aircraft and tinkering with a small puzzle, whereas book Heller becomes obsessed with solving the Authorship Question about Shakespeare’s works and eventually provides conclusive evidence that Francis Bacon was the true author. In the film, Sarah is taken hostage due to her heroic act of pushing someone else out of harm’s way. Conversely, in the novel, Sarah meets a tragic end because she is Jewish and one of the killers is the son of a Nazi. The book presents a more intense experience, although the harsh elements contribute to its intrigue. On the other hand, the movie offers a few striking visuals but lacks substantial content to captivate audiences. Regrettably, the film discards the novel’s most captivating twist: Heller evades an assassin because he is unaware of typical spy tactics and thus hard to anticipate.

This movie, titled “The Amateur,” doesn’t possess anything exceptionally captivating or distinctive. If you’ve watched a spy flick before, there’s nothing new here to entice you. The actors, like Rami Malek, Laurence Fishburne, and others, deliver satisfactory performances, but they fail to make the material stand out beyond its modest origins. Malek carries most of the film, and it’s unclear whether he deliberately played his role with such low intensity or if it was directed by Hawes.

Given that the story revolves around a man driven to extremes by grief, taking on global security and numerous armed assassins, it’s surprising how uneventful and disengaged the film feels. The movie never seems to convey what emotions it intends for the audience to feel at any given moment. It fails to deliver the emotional release of a good revenge film, the suspense of a good spy film, or the intensity of a good action film.

A more ambitious production might have discovered something engaging in its extended portrayal of a “Hitman” video game streamer, but this one manages to make even that dull.

The Amateur can be described as a film that focuses more on the journey than the outcome, often disregarding finer details. Characters undertake complex strategies that ultimately lead nowhere, yet stumble upon solutions by sheer coincidence. The narrative maintains a certain distance, reflecting an indifference towards deeper exploration. Regrettably, it seems this movie neglected to delve into its intriguing concept. Predominantly, The Amateur was designed for viewing on TNT, escaping the decline of cable and the rise of streaming platforms. It promises to be a relaxing choice for older gentlemen in their easy chairs. However, it may prove rather uneventful for those inclined to critical analysis. Here’s to wishing many a sleepy father finds contentment in thee, unremarkable spy movie.

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2025-04-09 03:34