The Amateur

r96sk 4/11/2025 11:50:14PM 8.4

<em>'The Amateur'</em> is not all that believable or unique, but it without question made for a satisfying time at the movies for me. It feels like a long while since I've seen Rami Malek in anything; fwiw, <em>'Oppenheimer'</em> over a year ago. This makes for a strong return into my world. Malek is the beating heart of the movie, as you'd expect. I mentioned that it doesn't come across as all that plausible, though that is only in regards to what the film ends up portraying; Malek is convincing as the main dude. Elsewhere, Laurence Fishburne and Michael Stuhlbarg are good. I was fully invested from beginning to end, so I can't really harbour any complaints. It's pure and simply a very well done movie, in my eyes at least. After the very good <em>'One Life'</em? and now this, James Hawes is turning into an interesting director to look out for.

Dean 7/20/2025 6:20:35PM 8.4

Great movie.

Joogle83 7/21/2026 6:02:06PM 8.4

A Slowburner Spy Thriller That is SubversiveWatched The Amateur with Oscar Winner Rami Malek(No Time To Die) as Charlie Heller ,Laurence Fishburne(The Matrix) as Robert Henderson , Rachel Brosnahan(Marvelous Ms. Maisel ) as Sarah Horowitz, Caitoriona Balfe(Outlander) as Iquiline/Davies , Michael Stuhlbag(Arrival,The Shape Of Water) as Horst Schiller,Julian Nicholson as Samantha O'Brien, Jon Berenthal(Sicario,The Punisher) as Jackson O'Brien Aka The Bear, Takehiro Hira as The Proffessor.Malek and Fishburne deliver standout performances in this Bourne-esque thriller-minus the gunplay. Told from the unique perspective of a CIA analyst, the film becomes increasingly gripping as our protagonist dismantles enemy operatives through intellect and strategy rather than brute force. What sets it apart is how he not only takes down an entire covert operation but also exposes corruption within the CIA itself. It's a slow-burn, but when it hits, it hits hard. If you're looking for something sharp and smart this weekend, give this a shot-especially impressive considering its modest $80 million budget.Music By Volker Bertelmann(All Quiet On The Western Front), Cinematography By Martin Rhue(The Midnight Sky) Writing By Ken Nolan(Only The Brave), Gary Spinelli(American Made), Based On The Novel By Robert Littrell and Direction By James Hawes(One Life) A Slowburner Spy Thriller That is Subversive 7/10.