The Amateur

Mission impossible/James bond esque elements so it's nothing we haven't seen before but it's still very much worth watching, we were thoroughly entertained for the just over 2 hours. I'd give it a 7.5.

I like the angle they went with the tech nerd it made it uniquely interesting instead of the typical assassin killer type. The pacing was good, the events unfolding were logical and also intriguing by showing the CIA capabilities of surveillance and information, the music was awesome along with the cinematics. The acting was pretty standard, nothing to ride home about but some of these reviews are pretty harsh for no good reason.

All in all it's a good movie and worth a theater experience, or just wait till it's on streaming I'll be a great movie for a night in.

"The Amateur" is a decent but unremarkable spy thriller that flirts with greatness without ever fully reaching it. The premise is intriguing, and there are some genuinely engaging sequences that show the potential the film had. Unfortunately, the overall execution is a bit clunky.

The script feels uneven-some parts are compelling, while others fall into predictable territory with dialogue that doesn't always land. The pacing suffers from occasional lulls, and certain character motivations could have used more development. Still, the central performance does carry some emotional weight, and there are flashes of tension that work well.

It's not without its strengths: the cinematography is solid, the score adds the right atmosphere, and there are a few scenes that manage to stand out. But by the end, "The Amateur" leaves the impression of a thriller that plays things a little too safe.

Watchable, with moments of quality-but it doesn't quite rise above average.

The Amateur had the potential to be a gripping thriller, especially with such a strong lead actor at the center of it all. Unfortunately, despite his undeniable talent, he felt underutilized in a script that lacked depth and nuance. The dialogue was particularly weak, often falling flat and leaving the actor with little to work with emotionally or dramatically.

The story seemed intended to immerse us in the character's frustration and grief as he searched for those responsible for his wife's death. However, this emotional core never quite landed. The relationship between the main character and his wife wasn't developed enough for us to truly feel the weight of the loss. The early scenes meant to establish their bond felt forced and lacked any real passion, which made it harder to invest in his motivations later on.

What's more frustrating is how much time the film spent on elements that didn't serve the story, while barely touching on those that could have added emotional depth and weight. The pacing and focus felt misplaced, detracting from what could have been a much more powerful narrative.

On the technical side, the cinematography was quite strong - it's clearly a well-shot film. However, the color grading choices didn't always work in its favor. Many scenes were overly dark, making it difficult to follow what was happening, at least on the cinema screen where I watched it.

Overall, The Amateur is a decent choice if you're looking for something to fill a lazy Sunday afternoon. But it's not a film that lingers or leaves a strong impact. With better writing and emotional grounding, it could have been so much more.

Just Got out of a Screening of The Amateur.

It was Half Decent but there's a better film in here(especially the setup)

Problems I had with the Film -

📜👎 - The Setup of Charles' Wife being Killed was done in probably the least effective way possible. She dies, he's then told this and then we see bits and pieces of the Kidnapping. This was a cop out imo.

🤔 - It would of Been Far more effective if we actually saw a 6 to 7 minute scene of the Kings Cross London Terrorist Attack and the Subsequent Execution(without actually showing it though, just up to the moment when he pulls the trigger, they did that part right) of Charles' Wife. And then he is told & shown this.

😴 - There's far too many moments where stuff Just happens.

🤷 - The Ending with the Main Villain(which was actually a good Scene) could of been built up to far better if we had seen the villain throughout the film. But we don't, we only seen him at the Very End.

So Overall, it was ok but could of been far better.

"Amateur" starts off feeling pretty standard, but it grows on you. Think early 2000s spy thrillers-nerdier, more grounded, and rough around the edges. It doesn't try to reinvent the genre, but it leans into its simplicity with confidence. The pacing is fine-not too fast, not too slow-and while the story isn't particularly complex, it holds your attention. Rami Malek brings a steady, watchable presence, and the ending wraps things up in a way that feels satisfying.it's a solid, no-frills spy flick. One of those movies you watch without big expectations and walk away pleasantly surprised. Totally worth a shot on a chill night.