If Mr Bean were a little less goofy and more brooding, you might be just reminded of him while watching Charlie Heller, the protagonist of the new spy thriller, “The Amateur”.
Heller (played by Academy Award winner Rami Malek) is an introverted decoder with an IQ of 170 who works for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He’s the kind of guy you’d approach to fix your computer, but probably not someone you’d invite to lunch.
His ordinary life is upended when his wife, Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan) is brutally killed by terrorists in London.
Using his extraordinary tech skills, Heller investigates her murder and presents his findings to his supervisors (Holt McCallany and Danny Sapani). Naturally, he expects them to seek justice on his behalf.
When they refuse, he resorts to blackmail. Having earlier discovered that they had launched rogue operations, he hides the evidence, then makes his demands: training, cash and a new identity to help him track down his wife’s killers.
Hoping to temporarily appease him until they find the evidence, his supervisors assign the tough Colonel “Hendo” Henderson (Laurence Fishburne) to train him.
But Heller later decides to take matters into his own hands and his mission takes him from London to Paris, Turkey, Spain and beyond. He is assisted by a contact he used to work with, known only as “Inquiline” (Caitriona Balfe).
Directed by James Hawes (One Life, Doctor Who), the movie is the second adaptation of Robert Littell’s novel of the same name.
This is a classic David-versus-Goliath tale: Heller takes down one bad guy after another, despite having no field experience and a fear of firing guns.
In one scene, he picks a lock with only a video tutorial to guide him. Henderson had even written him off, saying: “You can’t do what I do no matter how I train you. You’re just not a killer, Charlie.”
In the end, brains triumph over brawn. A nerdy guy beats the odds heavily stacked against him. The underdog wins. It’s a feel-good theme on paper. Yet, at the end of the movie, you may not find yourself cheering wholeheartedly for Heller.
That’s because although Malek nails the character of a logical and analytical tech whiz, he falls short in scenes that demand the emotional weight of a mourning husband. Given that his mission is driven by grief, this is a noticeable gap.
To tap into this emotional core, the movie could have offered more insights into the couple’s relationship. Flashbacks of their first encounter or intimate moments they shared would have helped the audience better relate to his relentless pursuit of vengeance over her senseless murder.
Still, Academy Award nominee Fishburne is a pleasure to watch, portraying the no-nonsense Henderson with a commanding presence, and just the right touch of humour. In fact, it’s hard not to wish to see more of his interactions with Heller.
The spy technology used also adds an entertaining layer to the film – although one can’t help but wonder why so many of the indoor scenes are shot in dimly lit rooms.
But without a steady stream of thrilling car chases or daring stunts, there just isn’t enough suspense to keep the audience fully engaged. And after a while, predictability sets in.
Still, there is one heart-racing scene where Heller devises a way to shatter a glass-bottomed swimming pool, sending his victim plummeting 16 stories to his death. This moment is featured in the movie’s trailer, so no spoilers.
Also, a tighter storyline with less screen time of Heller’s supervisors navigating CIA politics, and more on building suspense, would have made the movie less forgettable.
“The Amateur” is still an entertaining watch, perfect for filling a quiet weeknight or a lazy weekend afternoon. Or if you’re twiddling your thumbs waiting for the arrival of “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.”
As of press time, ‘The Amateur’ is screening in cinemas nationwide.