James Hawes’ latest film, “The Amateur,” released in theaters nationwide on April 11, is a prime example of how a film can quickly devolve from a promising premise to a lackluster, overly predictable action movie.
Despite its familiar look, with bleak hues and shadowy interiors, “The Amateur” has a story that is as dull as a butter knife. It borrows heavily from two of the most groundbreaking action franchises of the 21st century — “Jason Bourne” and “John Wick.” While it’s easy to imagine Matt Damon or Keanu Reeves trotting the globe instead of Freddie Mercury, the film’s only unique aspect is its brain-over-brawn approach. However, this approach is only evident in a couple of fight scenes, and the rest of the runtime consists of tech wizardry and meticulously orchestrated “Saw”-esque scenarios that serve as the film’s only source of excitement.
The Unremarkable Storyline
- The film follows Charlie Heller, a highly intelligent CIA cryptographer, as he navigates his grief over the loss of his wife, Sarah, who was killed in a terrorist attack while abroad in London.
- Charlie’s boss, the overly secretive CIA Deputy Director Alex Moore, has no interest in holding the perpetrators of Sarah’s murder accountable.
- Charlie’s mission to uncover the truth behind Sarah’s death becomes increasingly complicated as he discovers an internal conspiracy involving Moore and is blackmailed by an unassuming CIA agent.
The film’s predictable plot and lack of originality make it feel like a watered-down version of its action predecessors. Despite its attempts to create tension and suspense, the film falls flat due to its inability to commit to a single tone.
The Problem with Brain-Over-Brawn
| Criticisms of the film’s approach: | The film’s reliance on tech wizardry and coded jargon makes it feel overly reliant on gimmicks. |
| Example of the film’s lack of realism: | The 40-minute period where Charlie Heller types coded jargon to access information is a prime example of the film’s absurdity. |
The film’s brain-over-brawn approach, which is supposed to be its unique selling point, actually ends up being its downfall. The film’s inability to commit to a single tone makes it feel like a jumbled mess of cliches and over-the-top action sequences.
A mediocre performance and Screenplay
The film’s mediocre performance and screenplay only add to its lackluster reputation. The acting, cinematography, direction, and editing are all subpar, making “The Amateur” feel like a low-budget, Walmart bargain bin film.
A Flawed Approach to Tension and Suspense
The film’s inability to create genuine tension and suspense makes it feel like a generic, unremarkable action movie. The film’s attempts to create excitement through its action sequences are undermined by its lack of realism and over-reliance on gimmicks.
Conclusion
“The Amateur” is a film that fails to deliver on its promise of an exciting, brain-over-brawn action movie. With its predictable plot, mediocre performance and screenplay, and inability to commit to a single tone, it’s a film that is best left on the shelf.
Jacob Bernardino is an Arts & Entertainment Intern for the spring 2025 quarter. He can be reached at bernarj2@uci.edu.