In 1981, Robert Littell wrote a novel about a CIA analyst named Charlie Heller (Rami Malek; Bohemian Rhapsody) who lived a simple and quiet life until one day when his wife was murdered by terrorists. Also in 1981, the novel was adapted into a Canadian feature film starring John Savage (The Thin Red Line) and Christopher Plummer (Knives Out). Forty-four years later, that same novel was once again brought to the big screen, this time by director James Hawes (One Life) and 20th Century Studios. The Amateur was released in theaters on April 11, 2025, and this month is available for purchase on 4K and Blu-ray.
Charlie lived in a quiet, suburban neighborhood in Virginia, and five days a week, he would kiss his wife goodbye and travel to a government building in Langley, Va. There, he would take the elevator down to the sub-level where he would sit at his desk, turn on his computer, and decode information from around the world. While he worked for the CIA, Heller was not a field operative. However, when his wife was murdered in London, and it seems the CIA wasn't doing anything to find his wife's killers, Heller took matters into his own hands and tracked down those individuals who were responsible.
Malek was a strong choice to portray Heller because he has that nerdy, computer geek, quiet, guy-next-door demeanor while underneath the surface lies a complex, intelligent individual who can solve puzzles and think quickly to outmaneuver his prey. Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) is wasted as his wife, Sarah, though her scenes do leave an impact. Jon Bernthal (The Accountant 2) has a small role, but he is always memorable on screen. Laurence Fishburne (The John Wick Franchise), likewise, has an expanded cameo in the film, but he makes good use of his time onscreen. The rest of the cast is fine if unmemorable.
Hawes does a decent job with the pacing of the movie and the various camera angles, but it seems as if there would have been a greater amount of tension and build-up had a different director been at the helm. The script, written by Robert Littell (Legends), Ken Nolan (Transformers: The Last Knight), and Gary Spinelli (American Made), is smart and offers enough plot twists to keep things interesting.
Dolby Vision video is probably some of the best seen in recent years. The 2160p resolution and 2.39:1 aspect ratio offers the viewer clean visuals and excellent details throughout. When compared to the Blu-ray version of the film, there is a noticeable difference in quality, which isn't always the case with home releases.
Dolby Atmos audio matches the level of the 4K video quality beautifully. Most notably, there is the cracking glass and splash of the pool scene. The ambient noise is solid throughout, especially in the outdoor moments of the film.
The combo pack includes the 4K disc, the Blu-ray disc, and the digital download. It also has just over thirty minutes of extras that are merely okay, but that could have offered more in-depth stories about the items highlighted. The extras include: The Team, The World, The Pool, The Score, and Deleted Scenes (Sarah Wonders How Charlie Can Trust His CIA Bosses, Henderson Blasts Heller for Failing a Training Exercise, Heller Tracks Gretchen Through Paris, A Third Assassin Chases Heller Through the Hotel Basement, and Heller Asks Inquiline Some Personal Questions).
The Amateur is a good movie, but not one I would watch repeatedly. If you like spy thrillers, it has enough of a plot to keep the viewer engaged in the story, and how Heller tracks and catches his prey. Generally, this is a spy movie that has been done before and will most likely be done again in the future. If you are a Malek fan, you will enjoy his work, which may convince you to go out and purchase this home entertainment release.
Grade: C
