Rami Malek outsmarts the spy game in the globetrotting thriller 'The Amateur'
Image: Supplied
Rami Malek has bagged some of the biggest films in Hollywood. Aside from winning an Oscar for Best Actor for his electric portrayal of Freddie Mercury in "Bohemian Rhapsody", he's proven his range time and again - effortlessly slipping between playful, serious, menacing and geeky roles.
The latter was marvellously executed in the TV series "Mr Robot", where his meticulous attention to detail made Elliot Alderson one of the most compelling anti-heroes in recent television history.
Once again, Malek channels his inner nerd in "The Amateur", now streaming on Disney+.
Socially awkward but with a brilliant mind, Charlie Heller (Malek) is a happily married CIA cryptographer. His wife, Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan), not only loves him (and his coffee-making skills) but also embraces his obsessive fascination with puzzles - a quirk that's endearing rather than exasperating.
But their blissful life shatters when Sarah is killed by terrorists during a business trip to London.
Charlie's grief quickly turns to frustration when his attempts to get the CIA to track down her killers hit a wall of bureaucratic indifference. Desperate for justice, he decides to take matters into his own hands.
With basic field training from his handler, Robert 'Hendo' Henderson (Laurence Fishburne), Charlie goes rogue.
Armed with his intellect rather than brute force, Charlie is soon aided by an anonymous source known only as 'Inquiline'. This shadowy ally feeds him career-ending intelligence that could blow open a dangerous conspiracy. But exposing it puts Charlie directly in the crosshairs of his boss, Alex Moore (Holt McCallany), a man powerful enough to erase him - permanently.
As he gains traction in hunting down Sarah's killers, Charlie quickly learns that he's no Jason Bourne. He's not built for car chases or bloody brawls - violence unsettles him. But when it comes to technology, cryptography, and outsmarting his enemies, he's a formidable opponent.
And in "The Amateur", it's his brilliant mind that keeps him alive while he dodges threats from within his organisation, too.
Director James Hawes keeps the action brisk, weaving tension into every frame, while the cinematography makes full use of its globe-trotting locations, from Marseille, Madrid and Istanbul to Romania.
"The Amateur" turns the whole superspy rulebook theory on its head with its stellar cast, taut script and plenty of twists and turns.
Of course, Malek is right at home playing a man who's always three steps ahead - dangerously adept at mind games yet quietly, unexpectedly heroic.
Rating: *** solid and enjoyable, though not groundbreaking.
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Rami Malek as Charlie Heller and Laurence Fishburne as Robert 'Hendo' Henderson, in 'The Amateur'. Image: Supplied Rami Malek has bagged some of the biggest films in Hollywood. Aside from winning an Oscar for Best Actor for his electric portrayal of Freddie Mercury in "Bohemian Rhapsody", he's proven his range time and again - effortlessly slipping between playful, serious, menacing and geeky roles. The latter was marvellously executed in the TV series "Mr Robot", where his meticulous attention to detail made Elliot Alderson one of the most compelling anti-heroes in recent television history. Once again, Malek channels his inner nerd in "The Amateur", now streaming on Disney+. Socially awkward but with a brilliant mind, Charlie Heller (Malek) is a happily married CIA cryptographer. His wife, Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan), not only loves him (and his coffee-making skills) but also embraces his obsessive fascination with puzzles - a quirk that's endearing rather than exasperating. But their blissful life shatters when Sarah is killed by terrorists during a business trip to London. Charlie's grief quickly turns to frustration when his attempts to get the CIA to track down her killers hit a wall of bureaucratic indifference. Desperate for justice, he decides to take matters into his own hands. With basic field training from his handler, Robert 'Hendo' Henderson (Laurence Fishburne), Charlie goes rogue. Armed with his intellect rather than brute force, Charlie is soon aided by an anonymous source known only as 'Inquiline'. This shadowy ally feeds him career-ending intelligence that could blow open a dangerous conspiracy. But exposing it puts Charlie directly in the crosshairs of his boss, Alex Moore (Holt McCallany), a man powerful enough to erase him - permanently. As he gains traction in hunting down Sarah's killers, Charlie quickly learns that he's no Jason Bourne. He's not built for car chases or bloody brawls - violence unsettles him. But when it comes to technology, cryptography, and outsmarting his enemies, he's a formidable opponent. And in "The Amateur", it's his brilliant mind that keeps him alive while he dodges threats from within his organisation, too. Director James Hawes keeps the action brisk, weaving tension into every frame, while the cinematography makes full use of its globe-trotting locations, from Marseille, Madrid and Istanbul to Romania. "The Amateur" turns the whole superspy rulebook theory on its head with its stellar cast, taut script and plenty of twists and turns. Of course, Malek is right at home playing a man who's always three steps ahead - dangerously adept at mind games yet quietly, unexpectedly heroic. Rating: *** solid and enjoyable, though not groundbreaking.
