In The Amateur, we are introduced to CIA cryptographer Charlie Heller (Rami Malek), who leads a quiet life with his wife Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan). Following a terrorist attack in London that results in Sarah’s murder, Charlie, driven by grief and a sense of injustice, becomes disillusioned by the agency’s inaction. He compels them to provide specialized training, determined to track down and exact revenge upon the perpetrators. His subsequent journey spans multiple countries, embroiled in assassination plots, intricate global conspiracies, and high-stakes cat-and-mouse operations.
The Amateur is based on Robert Littell’s novel of the same name, published in May 1981. The film is set in the present day, with filmmakers adapting the story to fit a modern context. While largely faithful to the source material, certain narrative elements have been adjusted to streamline the plot.
Rami Malek, while having a prominent career, takes on a distinct challenge in *The Amateur*, marking his first lead role in an action-oriented film. While not a pure action film, it features sufficient sequences to qualify. Malek delivers a compelling performance, effectively embodying his character’s intricate psychological landscape. He is joined by a strong supporting cast, notably Laurence Fishburne, who portrays the mentor guiding Malek’s character in his transformation into a field agent and assassin.
Rachel Brosnahan, in her portrayal of Sarah, skillfully imbues the character with depth despite limited screen time, leaving a notable impression. Her performance suggests a promising trajectory, particularly following the success of Superman. The consistently engaging and talented Jon Bernthal also appears, though his role feels significantly truncated, leading to a somewhat disjointed presence within the narrative.
A significant drawback of The Amateur is its notably abrupt and unsatisfying conclusion. The narrative meticulously builds towards a climax that ultimately feels underdeveloped, which is unfortunate given the film’s otherwise engaging and innovative sequences.
The UHD presentation of The Amateur features a pristine 4K transfer, characterized by exceptional detail and clarity. Black levels and contrast are robust, maintaining nuance, while the color palette strikes a balance between deliberate subtlety and natural rendition. HDR10 and Dolby Vision effectively enhance both shadow details in dark environments and the vibrancy of brighter set designs.
The Dolby Atmos track provides a clear and meticulously balanced audio experience. Dialogue is rendered with pristine clarity, the bass register delivers impactful presence without overpowering, and the surround channels are skillfully employed to foster an immersive soundstage without becoming distracting. Height channels accentuate specific audio cues, intensifying the atmosphere in sequences set across confined rooftops and lively markets.
The release also features a substantial collection of bonus materials, including documentaries and deleted scenes, though a director’s commentary track is notably absent.
In summary, The Amateur distinguishes itself as a refreshing entry in a cinematic landscape often dominated by remakes and sequels. Rami Malek delivers a compelling performance, and the film maintains an engaging pace until its notably abrupt conclusion. While this narrative shortcoming impacts the overall assessment, the exceptional quality of the UHD presentation significantly mitigates this concern. Consequently, *The Amateur* warrants a strong recommendation.
SF Studios provided a review copy for this evaluation. Material providers have no editorial influence on our assessments; we consistently maintain independent editorial integrity with our readers and consumers as our primary focus.
