Minnesota Seniors Online

The Amateur
Directed by James Hawes
Guest Reviewer Doug Solem Sr.

The Amateur, starring Rami Malek, is a fun and gripping thriller that delivers both high-stakes action and a good story line. Malek gives a spot on performance as a CIA cryptographer thrown into a world of danger and deception after a personal tragedy pushes him to seek justice on his own terms. The pacing and cinematography are razor-sharp and the story never lets up. What truly sets this film apart is its ability to balance tension with action, all while grounding the drama in Malek’s portrayal of a man walking the line between vengeance and redemption.

One area where The Amateur could have gone further is in developing the bad guys. While the plot keeps them mysterious they do not come across as ruthless or threatening. Their motivations and backstories remain somewhat underexplored, which slightly dulls the impact of their role in the narrative. Still, the film’s emotional core, slick direction, and standout lead performance more than make up for this shortcoming. The Amateur is a compelling, edge-of-your-seat film that is worth seeing on the big screen.

 


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