June 16, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Film Review: The Amateur

FILM REVIEW 
THE AMATEUR
Rated PG-13
123 Minutes
Released April 11th

The Amateur is a remarkably well-made film with a compelling plot line, stunning settings, an unlikely hero who has extraordinary courage, passion, and flaws, and impeccable cinematography, editing and score.  

Composer Volker Bertelmann also did the score to the striking All Quiet on the Western Front (2022), which won 4 Academy Awards. The rhythm of The Amateur never misses a beat because of the precise editing and magnificent camera work. You will feel like you are living within the story. I learned after I had seen the film that its editor, Jonathan Amos, edited one of my favorite films of all time, Baby Driver (2017), which also has that uncanny perfect harmony of visuals, movement, rhythm, and music. 

The reason this is a great movie is that it has been made by an outstanding team of filmmakers assembled by director James Hawes. Hawes is an award-winning British television director known for directing episodes of such series as Black Mirror and Slow Horses. The Amateur is only his second feature film. He is obviously not afraid to bring professionals into his team who are more experienced and recognized than he is, and this is a sign of a great director. 

Every actor in the ensemble fashions a riveting character that draws the audience with them into the screen, and each actor’s persona adds to the great balance and diverse emotional quality of the cast, which includes luminaries of stage, television, and film, another reflection of the skill of the director.

Rami Malik, who also produced the film, becomes a unique and believable killer driven with a laser-like focus to avenge his wife’s murder at the hands of an international terrorist group. Malek’s superb acting will pull you into the anguish and inconceivable loss that drive his character. Malek won the 2019 Academy Award for his portrayal of “Freddie Mercury” in Bohemian Rhapsody. He was the lead in the TV series Mr. Robot from 2015 to 2019 and won an Emmy for that role. Born in Los Angeles into an Egyptian Coptic family, he took musical theatre classes in high school and got his BA in Fine Arts. His first job as an actor was as a guest star on Gilmore Girls. He was in two episodes of Steven Bochco’s Over There, and he appeared in a video game in 2015. His film debut was as “Pharaoh Ahkmenrah” in the Night at the Museum movies. With a unique look, astonishing talent, and an exceptional work ethic, Malek doesn’t wait for the right project to come to him; he makes it happen. He produces and works on soundtracks in addition to acting.

Rachel Brosnahan is a stage, TV, and film actress best known for her portrayal of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. The legendary Laurence Fishburne has been acting since he was 12. Caitriona Balfe was born in Dublin and, after being “discovered” in a shopping mall, began modeling at the age of 19. She has starred in the popular series Outlander since 2014. The cast also includes Julianne Nicholson and Michael Stuhlbarg.

This film treats catastrophe the way it should be treated, not as a glossed-over exclamation point for the sake of moving the story along, as in many films. The loss that envelopes Malek’s character early in the movie will strike a chord in the hearts of all who have lived through a similarly sudden and devastating change to their lives, and the movie paints the loss so beautifully that it becomes a thread of its own within the greater fabric of the tale. The story won’t let you down for a minute and is composed like a symphony, with a solid, unwavering theme, fast and slow interludes, riveting characters, and fascinating locations, all beautifully shot. This is a movie that will be shown in film history classes and in art houses years from now as one of the best of our time.

Kathryn Whitney Boole has spent most of her life in the entertainment industry, which has been the backdrop for remarkable adventures with extraordinary people.  She is a Talent Manager with Studio Talent Group in Santa Monica. kboole@gmail.com

<>Related Posts

Army Corps Reaches Milestone in Completing in Palisades Debris Removal

June 16, 2025

June 16, 2025

As of June 15, the effort has cleared debris from an estimated 13,579 eligible parcels The U.S. Army Corps of...

Renovated Riviera Estate Hits Market for $25M

June 16, 2025

June 16, 2025

Inside, floor-to-ceiling windows flood the home with natural light, with nearly every room opening to a private deck or patio...

(Video) Home Front Build Maintains Original Architectural Vision For Modern Homes

June 16, 2025

June 16, 2025

For More Information, Go to homefrontbuild.com For More Information, Go to https://t.co/Ssb4O7uZdu pic.twitter.com/XspARQcKcb — Santa Monica Mirror (@SMMirror) June 16,...

(Video Recap) “No Kings” Protest Comes to Downtown Santa Monica

June 15, 2025

June 15, 2025

Palisades Park was one of a dozen LA locations where protestors took to the streets on Saturday to challenge ICE...

California Offers Mortgage Relief to Homeowners Displaced by Wildfires, Floods

June 15, 2025

June 15, 2025

CalAssist Mortgage Fund Provides up to $20,000 in Grants for Mortgage Payments California has opened applications for the CalAssist Mortgage...

Water and Sewer Rate Hikes Coming to Santa Monica for Infrastructure Upgrades

June 15, 2025

June 15, 2025

The rate adjustments will support routine Capital Improvement Projects, address inflation, and enhance water resiliency The Santa Monica City Council...

Senator Alex Padilla Forcibly Removed, Handcuffed at DHS Press Briefing in Los Angeles

June 13, 2025

June 13, 2025

Security or Censorship? Padilla Removed After Questioning Secretary Kristi Noem U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., was forcibly removed Thursday during...

Film Review: Ballerina

June 13, 2025

June 13, 2025

FILM REVIEWBALLERIINARated R125 MinutesReleased June 6th I’m happy to see the contrast in the style of movies playing this summer....

(Video) Senator Alex Padilla Being Forcibly Removed at Secretary Kristi Noem’s DHS Press Conference for Attempting to Ask Questions

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

In a disturbing and unprecedented move, FBI agents grabbed the sitting California Senator, dragged him out of the room, and...

THIS WEEKEND: Skate Series Hits Venice with $25K Top Prize

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

The Venice Beach event will showcase street-level action, judged on amplitude, trick difficulty, execution, style, and overall impression Skateboarders are...

Virtual Event to Explore Palisades’ Horticultural Heritage

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

The event will highlight how these trees continue to inspire community resilience and regrowth The Santa Monica Mosaic series will...

SMPD Announces Safety Measures Ahead of Upcoming ‘No Kings’ Rally on Westside

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

Enhanced patrols, rapid-response teams, and advanced technology for situational awareness are part of a detailed operational plan The Santa Monica...

THIS WEEKEND: Santa Monica Hosts 33rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

The event, which draws over 2,000 attendees annually from Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, and beyond, was first funded by...

World-Class Chefs and Local Farms Bring Culinary Magic to Santa Monica This June

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

3 Nights, 3 Unforgettable Dinners: Santa Monica’s Michelin + Farm Feast Series A trio of exclusive culinary events is set...

Third Annual Rosé on Rose Wine Fest Comes to Venice Beach This Weekend

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

Rosé offerings priced between $8 and $10 per glass at various Rose Avenue establishments The third annual Rosé on Rose...