IR Film Review: THE AMATEUR [20th Century Studios]
The context of a movie like "The Amateur" relies solely in the character work it is trying to approach. This is a type of movie that is really no longer made: a modern day thriller with a mid-range budget and a limited amount of digital work and people though there is some. In making this his first true leading role since winning his Oscar, Rami Malek returns in a way to what made his famous in "Mr. Robot" but from the other direction. He knows that he also needs to establish himself in certain ways as an empathetic romantic lead. The stakes here are apparent but it is also a slow build. Because this is a slow build, this is allowed to happen. The only reason this is possible is because New Regency has its own financing arm though its distribution is by 20th Century Studios...and this goes way farther back than the Disney deal. Malek is also a producer so they likely worked on the script heavily which is why it might have taken a while to get it to the screen.
The producers are Joel B. Michaels who previously worked at Caralco and was involved in such movies as "T2," "Total Recall" and "Basic Instinct" while Hutch Parker was a 20th Century Fox executive for many years They come from the old school which wasn't motivated solely by IP. This is a great character piece but one that needs to breathe. They also traveled a bit to make it but because it is written the way it is, it doesn't require huge people scenes. More specifically it has a nimbleness which is what makes it work. Malek's character has suffered a loss. The only let down but it is what it is and makes sense for the film is that Rachel Brosnahan as a character is quityte underused as his wife who meets a fate that pushes the whole movie. The casting is also quite good. Also Laurence Fishburne can be sometimes the go-to guru character, but here he does put in the work and you see it. A fight scene in a laundry is a good example of that.
Holt McCallney who has been getting more government type characters since he played a critical role in "Mindhunters" for David Fincher plays a duality role quite well even though it is more by the book. Caitriona Balfe, best known for "Outlander," fares the best as a secret operative. The film also has stakes though it is not full of dread. It is well plotted and well executed with reasons for every action and a plot that makes you look at the tentacles of what it is approaching. It is nice to see this made as a film and not as a series because the latter takes on a different narrative connotation. Also this kind of original film has a great potential as a franchise but it is probably lower on the promotion totem pole compared with other IP at Disney so it might simply simmer but it will also do well I would believe in SVOD. Malek gives the film a gravity though he borders on overplaying it as certain crucial moments. "The Amateur" is well made and effective thriller with a tight script, cool locales and good performamces and should be given a chance. A-
By Tim Wassberg
