The Amateur starts on a lovely note. The story then takes an interesting turn and it’s unlike anything one has seen in the recent spy and action films. The title suits the film; the script is clever and a few scenes will leave viewers astonished. However, there are too many cinematic liberties. The protagonist is easily able to manoeuvre despite being in unfriendly foreign lands. Lastly, the climax doesn’t give the feeling of a high. Rami Malek plays a complex and unconventional role with panache. Laurence Fishburne, as expected, is commendable but is let down a bit by the writing. Rachel Brosnahan (Sarah), Caitríona Balfe (Inquiline) and Barbara Probst (Gretchen Frank) do well. All in all, The Amateur is a fun-filled, gripping entertainer.
My rating – *** ½ out of 5!