“Did you ever take into account the things I’m good at?” Rami Malek’s character, Charlie, asks in The Amateur — by the end of the film, there’s no doubt he’s good at a lot. Armed with an IQ of 170 and a quiet but fierce resolve, Charlie outwits CIA operatives and international villains alike in this stylish, globe-trotting revenge thriller.

This marks Malek’s first turn as the lead in a full-fledged action film, and he brings an unexpected gravity to the role. As a quiet, bookish CIA codebreaker thrust into personal tragedy, he convincingly evolves into a steely, if implausibly capable, vigilante. It’s a big swing for the Oscar winner — who also serves as a first-time producer on the film — and while the story may stretch credibility, Malek grounds it with intensity and emotional weight.

Join the PERA (Personal Entertainment Research Assistant) waitlist.

The World’s Most Indispensable Movie App

The RunPee app tells you the best times to
run & pee during a movie
so you don't miss the best scenes.

As seen on

Download the RunPee app.
100% free (donation supported)

     

Read more about the RunPee app.

For those unfamiliar with the plot: Charlie’s wife is brutally murdered in a terrorist attack. When he loses faith in the CIA’s ability to deliver justice, he takes matters into his own hands. What follows is a calculated campaign of vengeance that crisscrosses continents and leaves a trail of bodies in its wake.

There’s a lot to admire here. The core premise, adapted from Robert Littell’s 1981 novel, hooks the audience from the start. The cinematography is lush and varied, transporting us from one international locale to another with style. And the performances — not just from Malek, but the entire supporting cast — are uniformly strong. Even minor characters feel sharply drawn and well-acted.

But for all its strengths, The Amateur has its flaws. The plot is densely packed, perhaps too much so. With a multitude of characters and shifting allegiances, it can be hard to keep track of who’s who — especially when you’re trying to relax and enjoy what should be a sleek revenge thriller.

Then there’s the issue of plausibility. Suspension of disbelief is a must for a movie like this, but The Amateur stretches that suspension to the breaking point. At times, it makes James Bond seem like a realist drama. And while the film starts with a bang, its pacing becomes uneven — a propulsive first act gives way to a sluggish midsection, making the two-hour runtime feel longer than necessary.

Still, even with its narrative excesses and logic gaps, The Amateur entertains. Malek’s performance alone is worth the price of admission, and the film offers enough thrills, atmosphere, and cinematic flair to satisfy fans of the genre. Just don’t forget to bring your mental notepad — or your disbelief suspenders.

Grade: B

About The Peetimes: It was very difficult to identify good Peetimes because of a highly detailed complex plot (multiple storylines), numerous characters, and action-packed scenes.

What people are saying
about the RunPee app.

LBeeCat, 05/27/2022

Movie Watching Must Have!!

I go feral for this app. I love it so much and I wish everyone knew about it and used it. It is incredibly useful and I would be devastated if this app ever disappeared. Things I love: 1) the pee times! It’s so handy to know the best time to go and then read the synopsis of what’s happening while I’m gone. I never have to worry about missing the good bits! 2) knowing if there is a post-credits scene or not. This might be my fav feature because I would have missed out on some pretty critical scenes if it weren’t for RunPee. 3) the movie review and viewer rankings. This info has made me watch some movies that I normally wouldn’t and it’s nice seeing things outside of my usual scope. 4) that it’s a small family run business. I love shopping small and it really does feel like I’m part of the RunPee family! If you reach out to them, Dan will personally respond to you and he is so warm and helpful. GET THIS APP AND THEN SUBSCRIBE! It is absolutely worth it and you’ll be using it again and again!

View all reviews
Apple App Store | Google Play Store

Download RunPee app

     

However, three Peetimes were identified. Both the first and second Peetimes are fine, but the third one should only be used in emergency cases.

There are no extra scenes during, or after, the end credits of The Amateur.

Plot
A CIA cryptographer manages to blackmail his agency into training him to let him go after a group of terrorists who killed his wife.