After his life is turned upside down when his wife is killed in a London terrorist attack, a brilliant but introverted CIA decoder takes matters into his own hands when his supervisors refuse to take action.
"The Amateur" is a gripping psychological thriller released in 1981, directed by Charles Jarrott. The film stars John Savage as a naive American who becomes entangled in a complex web of political intrigue when he accidentally intercepts a secret message. As he navigates the dangerous world of espionage, the protagonist's life is forever altered by the choices he makes and the people he encounters. With a tense plot, nuanced characters, and a thought-provoking narrative, "The Amateur" delves into the moral ambiguity of espionage and its consequences.
The story follows an ex-CIA agent, Charles Heller (John Savage), who stumbles upon a top-secret message that reveals a terrorist plot. Instead of handing it over to the authorities, Heller decides to take matters into his own hands. As he digs deeper into the conspiracy, Heller finds himself caught between various intelligence agencies, each with its own agenda. With his life on the line, Heller must outwit his enemies and uncover the truth before it's too late.
John Savage delivers a compelling performance as Charles Heller, portraying the character's transformation from a naive outsider to a cunning operative with depth and vulnerability. Heller's moral dilemmas and internal struggles are palpable, making him a relatable protagonist in a world of espionage and deceit. Supporting characters like the enigmatic CIA agent played by Christopher Plummer add layers to the narrative, creating a rich tapestry of conflicting motivations and alliances.
Director Charles Jarrott brings a gritty realism to "The Amateur," capturing the tension and paranoia of the espionage world with a keen eye for detail. The film's pacing keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, while its moody cinematography sets the tone for a story filled with twists and turns. Jarrott's nuanced approach to character development allows the audience to connect with the emotional core of the film, adding depth to the thrilling narrative.
"The Amateur" explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of one's actions in a world where trust is a rare commodity. The film challenges the audience to question their beliefs about morality and justice, highlighting the gray areas that exist in the world of espionage. Through Heller's journey, the movie examines the complexities of human nature and the sacrifices one must make in the pursuit of truth and justice.
Upon its release, "The Amateur" received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised the film's tense atmosphere and strong performances, others found fault with its convoluted plot and pacing. However, John Savage's portrayal of Charles Heller was universally acclaimed, with many lauding his nuanced performance and emotional depth. Despite its flaws, "The Amateur" remains a cult classic among fans of espionage thrillers.
Although "The Amateur" was not a box office success upon its initial release, the film has since gained a following for its intricate plot and engaging characters. Its exploration of moral ambiguity and political intrigue has resonated with audiences over the years, cementing its status as a hidden gem in the thriller genre. The film's themes continue to be relevant in today's world, where the lines between hero and villain are often blurred.
If you're interested in experiencing the tension and intrigue of "The Amateur," the movie is available for streaming on popular platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Google Play Movies. You can also check your local video rental store or online movie rental services for availability.
"The Amateur" is a thought-provoking thriller that delves into the complexities of espionage and the human psyche. With a compelling plot, strong performances, and a directorial style that keeps viewers engaged, the film offers a riveting cinematic experience for fans of the genre. Despite its mixed critical reception, "The Amateur" remains a captivating exploration of the moral dilemmas faced by those involved in the shadowy world of intelligence operations.
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<em>'The Amateur'</em> is not all that believable or unique, but it without question made for a satisfying time at the movies for me. It feels like a long while since I've seen Rami Malek in anything; fwiw, <em>'Oppenheimer'</em> over a year ago. This makes for a strong return into my world. Malek is the beating heart of the movie, as you'd expect. I mentioned that it doesn't come across as all that plausible, though that is only in regards to what the film ends up portraying; Malek is convincing as the main dude. Elsewhere, Laurence Fishburne and Michael Stuhlbarg are good. I was fully invested from beginning to end, so I can't really harbour any complaints. It's pure and simply a very well done movie, in my eyes at least. After the very good <em>'One Life'</em? and now this, James Hawes is turning into an interesting director to look out for.
FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://movieswetextedabout.com/the-amateur-movie-review-can-revenge-heal-grief/ "The Amateur ends up being a mild disappointment, especially given the legitimate expectations raised by the talent involved, both in front of and behind the camera. Despite a committed performance from Rami Malek, James Hawes' adaptation fails to escape a formulaic, timid, and emotionally shallow narrative - its simplicity and lack of surprise stand as its most significant flaws. There are occasional glimpses of emotional weight, but the script rarely ventures into more complex or thematically challenging territory, resulting in an experience that might entertain in the most basic sense. For a spy thriller with introspective ambitions, its biggest misstep was settling for the surface level." Rating: C+
“Heller” (Rami Malek) is the geeky “Jack Ryan” type, stuck in an office five floors below sunlight working on intelligence gathering and decrypting for the CIA. Intrigued by his latest set of dossiers from a deep throat somewhere on the internet, he suspects he has stumbled upon something nefarious. Before he has time to investigate, though, he hears that his wife has been the victim of a terrorist attack in London and so now he’s seeing red. Using the information he has recently obtained as leverage, he gets himself trained and equipped for an operational mission to get some revenge. Thing is, “Heller” isn’t a natural born killer, and despite the best efforts of his handler “Henderson” (Laurence Fishburne) he isn’t considered likely to be much more effective than a wet lettuce when it comes to killing anyone. What we now see is that there are more ways than one to skin a cat and brain can sometimes overcome brawn if applied with plenty of explosives, sticky tape and even the odd rogue missile. That’s perhaps the problem with this film: we’ve seen it all before - and more compellingly, too. Malek does enough but the rest of the cast really underwhelm and the set-piece action scenes come all too few and far between before an ending that really just fizzles out. James Hawes has presented us with a great looking film, packed with gadgets and gizmos, and the story also does make you realise just how big brotherly society has become with cameras apparently everywhere manipulating imagery from your shadow cast on a water-filled dustbin lid - but after a while, that all becomes a little repetitive and the plot settles into an implausible predictability. It has it’s moments, but sadly that’s all they are and this is a film that you’ll soon forget all about.
I wont mix my words the only way to describe "The Amateur", is painfully long winded and ultimately, boring as hell. There are a lot of things that could have been done with what is, essentially, an action thriller. Regrettably, the overly long lead in, combined with the unreasonably timid handling, leads to a anti climatic experience, where the pay off in terms of thrills and actual action, never really arrives. Its by no means the casts fault. Lead actor, Rami Malek is as capable and convincing, as ever. The problem, in this reviewers opinion, is yet another case of a weak script, that needed to be thoroughly re-written. In summary, the concepts solid but the execution is lack lustre, long winded and excessively timid. Not recommended.
Great movie.