The Reluctant Spy: Rami Malek Anchors a Gritty Espionage Tale in 'The Amateur'

Charlie Heller is a brilliant, yet unassuming, CIA decoder whose life takes a desperate turn following his wife’s tragic death in a London terrorist attack. When his agency supervisors refuse to take action, Charlie takes matters into his own hands becoming a “novice” spy, as he embarks on a dangerous trek across the globe to track down those responsible in The Amateur. 

Based on the 1981 novel by Robert Littell of the same name, the modern-day film adaptation, released April 11 by 20th Century, takes us on another deep dive into the world of global espionage, codes and coordinates, and nefarious covert ops hiding in plain sight.

The film as much as its literary predecessor remains notable for its exploration of the darker aspects of spy work and the personal toll it takes on those involved, even if it brings nothing substantially new to the spy action film genre, itself.

Nevertheless, thrilling and intense, The Amateur does have everything you want in spy action cinema — impactful, high stakes drama, adrenaline-fueled action, the balance of power in one’s hands, the ultimate test of good versus evil on a global scale, and the extent to which individuals will go to seek justice, or, let’s just call it what it is…revenge.

Throughout the film, Charlie navigates a dangerous landscape of international intrigue, political conspiracies, and the moral ambiguities of the intelligence community, as a fish out of water self-appointed operative.

Yes, parts of the film feel eerily similar to other films of the same genre that have come before, to include the globetrotting locales, from London to Paris to Istanbul and even the Baltic Sea; scenes with the same pacing and blocking; and even the orchestrally intense musical score to hang in the background. 

Though the film tries to bring you in with its own quirkiness, such having our newbie spy YouTube “lock-picking” in the heat of the moment, no doubt, what truly draws you to this particular story as it unfolds is the film’s lead.

Academy Award winner Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody), stars as Heller, the CIA analyst with a legit score to settle, who seemingly has neither the physical nor the emotional capacity to be a cold-blooded killer, on the surface. But, as they say, hard work beats talent, every time, when talent doesn’t work hard, particularly when that hard work is fueled by a dangerously analytical mind and one goal.

Without question, Malek’s portrayal of that blend-in-the-background guy at work who masters channeling his grief into productive action, carries the film. The versatile actor brings yet another nuanced approach to his character, emphasizing subtle gestures and facial expressions, as well as the meticulous nature of the character, to draw the quiet observer into the tension of Charlie’s pain and singularity of purpose. This allows Malek to portray the Jason Bourne-meets-The Accountant styled character with authentic depth and believability, capturing his intense emotional spectrum throughout the film, punctuated by his significant inner turmoil and conflict. In short, Malek gives us every reason to care and stay to the bitter end.

And, yes, while the amateur operative’s skills and controlled emotions do improve with his limited time “in the field,” as we knew they would, Malek ensures Charlie, as the determined, yet anxious reluctant hero, never loses his vulnerability, an endearing quality that keeps you engaged, even when you think you know how it will all end.

In a surprise to no one, Laurence Fishburne holds his own playing opposite Malek as the tough-as-nails Col. Henderson, the CIA legend tasked with training Charlie for the field. Always a commanding presence on our screens, Fishburne’s role as the grizzled veteran brings his familiar gravitas and authority to the Colonel. 

And, while The Amateur is in no way not meant to be a some sort of buddy movie — far from. The dynamics of Fishburne and Malek together onscreen is the dynamic duo I didn’t know we needed and now has me anticipating a sequel for this cinematic pair as the novice agent and his would-be handler, out to right the wrongs of the world. 

Hey, stranger cinematic things have happened. But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. 

Directed by James Hawes and written by Ken Nolan and Gary Spinelli, The Amateur also stars Rachel Brosnahan, Holt McCallany, and Caitrionia Balfe, and is out now in wide release. 

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