plot
Shaukeiya is based on the novel written by Robert Little in 1981 by the name of the same name. Charlie Heller (Rami Malec) is a CIA decoder. Her happy life with wife Sara Heller is short -lived as she kills in London terrorist attack. Since his superiors, despite all the resources he had, decide not to investigate Sara’s untimely death, Charlie is forced to take matters in his hands. He blackmails Henderson (Lawrence Fishburn) to train him to become a detective agent. He then hunts all the killers of his wife and conspirators from all over the world. He tries to kill the conspirators in such a way that he does not find any marks.
Will Charlie Heller be able to avenge his wife or is he trying to kill all the terrorists? See the amateur to find out.
What works for amateur
The amateur makes for an interesting watch, although the plot is not very unique. A CIA Kodar is turning into a detective agent so that his wife is certainly a good one-liner to attract the audience to avenge. Most of the spy-thriller who are high on action, amateur is more talk-thunder, and it is not bad at all. Treatment of slow burning helps in causing stress. As an audience, you feel the pain and root of Charlie throughout the film.
James Hayes’ vision is clear and grounded. This is more about the heart than the explosions. The individual angle distinguishes it from large spy movies, which are usually about the country or the world and there are nothing specific as taking revenge for someone’s wife’s death. The cinematography of the film is at the top position, London and Istanbul have been delicious on the camera. The intimacy of the film makes it reliable. Molec’s cool intensity borces the story. Supporting actors add depth but never focus on the main plot.
What does not work for amateur
Amateur could have been more thrilling. The action scenes are some more distant. Although this is not a great concern, intensity definitely takes a heartbeat. This plot is not very unique, if you see it more as a spy film, more as the Revenge Saga. The climax bend feels approximate and thus lacks shock value. While all is good, it lacks the extra spark that is to stand out and become a timely revenge detective-drama.
View Amateur Trailer
Performance in amateur
Rami Malec is the heart of this film. He plays Charlie’s role with a raw spirit. His grief seems real and not forced. You believe that he is a coder, not a fighter. Their bizarre attraction works perfectly. Rachel Brosonhan is good as Sara, although he is only for a brief in the film. Lawrence Fishburn as Henderson, hard CIA trainer, brings strength to its role. Catariona Balf and John Bernthal and other supportive actors also impress.
Final decisions of amateur
Amateur is a good detective thriller, although not great. Malec’s presence is more than assuring you to watch the film. James Hayes’ vision makes everything that Charlie feels real. While the plot can be more original and certainly more thrilling, it is a good change from loud detective films. It focuses on a man’s fight and not on the world. Fans of intimate thriller will enjoy it.
Amateur was released in theaters across India on 11 April 2025. How excited are you to see amateur?
Also read: The Amateur Exclusive: Rami Malec revealed why his character is ‘reduced to’ and how he wants justice in much awaited release
