Rami Malek May Be Too Weird for Hollywood

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After my remarkable win of the Oscar for “Bohemian Rhapsody” in 2019, I’ve found myself in a succession of less captivating roles that have failed to leave an indelible mark. From the less rugged of the two detectives in the peculiar neo-noir “The Little Things,” to a secondary villain in “No Time to Die,” then onto a sinister textile heir in “Amsterdam” and a brief portrayal as David L. Hill, one of the extensive ensemble of physicists in “Oppenheimer.”

This gradual decline seems reminiscent of the post-acclaim treatment often given to Hollywood’s Black female stars, but in my case, it feels more like the industry’s confusion about how to utilize a 43-year-old talent such as myself. The role of Freddie Mercury in “Bohemian Rhapsody” was unique and attention-grabbing – that of an icon who carved out a space for himself under the limelight through sheer skill and relentless determination. Placed back into the realm of characterizations still largely defined by stereotypes, my restless onscreen presence often clashes with characters written in broad strokes. Despite “Bohemian Rhapsody” being criticized as mediocre, the role was as singular as it was flamboyant – a testament to an icon who demanded attention through sheer talent and unyielding willpower.

As a cinema enthusiast, I must say that in “The Amateur,” Rami Malek delivers an off-kilter performance that deviates from the usual rhythm expected in what appears to be a standard revenge tale, cloaked in high-tech gloss. The movie, opening this Friday and based on Robert Littell’s 1981 novel, demands a character type who seems more like a cinematic creation than a real person – think of a quarterback transformed into a spectacled stutterer. Remarkably, Malek chooses to portray his character authentically as a genuine nerd, which makes him less instantly appealing. The protagonist, Charles Heller, is a CIA analyst who yearns to transition from desk work to field operations following the tragic death of his wife, Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan, channeling ethereal dead-wife energy), in a London hostage situation. In “The Amateur,” Charles is depicted as a quiet and meticulous individual, whose life revolves around his work and his wife, straying from this carefully constructed routine only when it’s shattered by grief.

In the beginning of the movie, Charles encounters a cocky field agent named “The Bear” (Jon Bernthal), and instead of highlighting his admiration for this character, Malek subtly portrays their relationship as if a popular athlete was asking a nerd to complete his assignments. Later, after learning about Sarah’s fate from CIA directors Moore (Holt McCallany) and O’Brien (Julianne Nicholson), Charles is seen alone, sorting through his wife’s returned luggage and weeping over her belongings in an unusual display of raw grief. Malek strives to find the emotional core and nobility within a pulp character, but this approach feels out of place within the movie. However, director James Hawes, who has mainly worked on television projects such as 2023’s Nicholas Winton biopic, “One Life,” also adopts a solemn tone that weighs down the film. There are brief moments of humor, like when Charles seeks assistance from a “How to Pick Locks” YouTube tutorial to break into a Paris apartment. Unfortunately, The Amateur aspires to be The Bourne Identity but without the action scenes – in other words, lacking the exciting parts. The only physical altercation Charles, who lacks combat training, experiences is with a woman who easily matches him.

In many contemporary TV series, it seems like two hours would be more suitable, but The Amateur is an exception that could have benefited from being expanded. Instead, it has too much content to cram into a short runtime. The protagonist, Charles, must first establish himself at work, experience the loss of his wife, manipulate his way into abbreviated field-agent training with compromising information provided by a secret asset, and cooperate with a reluctant Camp Peary general named Henderson (Laurence Fishburne). Only after these events does Charles begin to tackle the real task of tracking down the four mercenaries responsible for Sarah’s death. Furthermore, the plot thickens with the enigmatic link between the incident and Charles’s superior, as well as the former IT support guy’s acquisition of another IT support guy, a Russian-accented Caitríona Balfe. Due to the abundance of material, The Amateur rarely takes the time to delve into the appealing elements of its concept, such as how an individual unfit for field work adapts and uses his unique abilities to evade capture and pursue a group of highly trained European soldiers.

The film hesitates to delve into the moral implications and personal toll of taking a life, instead focusing on the technical aspects, which feels unsatisfying given Malek’s powerful performance. It might have been more effective for him to channel his talents elsewhere, as something truly impactful might never materialize.

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2025-04-08 20:54