REVIEW: THE AMATEUR

3/5

Amateur Hour

124 Mins. Starring: Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan, Caitríona Balfe, Michael Stuhlbarg, Holt McCallany, Danny Sapani, Julianne Nicholson, Jon Bernthal and Laurence Fishburne. Screenplay: Ken Nolan & Gary Spinelli. Director: James Hawes. On: Hulu & Disney +.

Clark Kent's not going to be happy. It's only been a week since 'Superman' flew into theatres at sonic speed, but Lois Lane herself, Rachel Brosnahan of 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' fame, is already cosying up with 'Bohemian Rhapsody's' own Freddie Mercury, AKA, Rami Malek. But this is not cheating at a Coldplay concert. This is all for the show of 'The Amateur' that finally finds itself on Disney Plus, three months and change after its cinematic release. The James Hawes ('One Life', and the 'Enid' Blyton biopic with Helena Bonham Carter), with a script from Ken Nolan and Gary Spinelli, sees star of the moment Brosnahan's character killed in the first act. But what they briefly share is beautiful and lovely, chasing cars with cameras. Not to mention, it gives Rami something to 'John Wick' for, like a Malek on fire.

Yet 'Mindhunter' star Holt McCallany thinks the man Malek is a little wet behind the ears to take on the task of revenge like 'The Brave One'. And he and Danny Sapani (on fine form after flirting up a storm with another Superman, Henry Cavill, in Guy Ritchie's 'The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare') practically laugh this CIA cryptographer out of the briefing room. Asking if he wants an Aston Martin to go with his outlandish request. And if only they knew the 'No Time To Die' half of it. They decide to give him some basic training to keep him and quiet and that's when the great Laurence Fishburne steals the show, on more than babysitting duty. The hard edged legend in the field has a soft spot for Rami's cause and plays like the late, great Gene Hackman to Malek's Will Smith in 'Enemy Of The State'. But this 'Mr. Robot' has a few tricks up his sleeve, leaving no room to breathe, from decompressed pools, to explosions that Denzel Washington would be proud of. Although he hasn't quite got down the walk away.

Yet that's where 'The Amateur' is grounded in the realism of 90s action greats like 'The Fugitive'. And from the postcards of Paris, to the maps of Madrid, this thriller looks the part. Based on Robert Littell's spy novel, and a remake of a 1981 Charles Jarrott Canadian thriller of the same name, starring John Savage and Christopher Plummer, this one, too, spies hard. Especially when 'Belfast' Ma, Caitríona Balfe ('Now You See Me', 'Money Monster', 'Ford v Ferrari') gets involved, bringing back 'Bourne' like brutal beauty. Fresh off her trouble in 'Paradise', Julianne Nicholson is on the right side of things. Whilst the great Michael Stuhlbarg in limited time makes for a compelling villain, whose legend of a menacing presence is hand on your shoulder, felt throughout. Even 'The Punisher' shows up, as fresh off 'The Accountant 2' with Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal does in two scenes what most actors couldn't do in twenty. It's a brilliant balancing act of big stars and blockbuster budget action with high stakes and even greater smarts. Making bank on its budget, it's Malek that keeps you mesmerized throughout. 'Amateur' is the last thing he is. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Man On Fire', 'Enemy Of The State', 'Mr. Robot'.