Rami Malek’s upcoming film, The Amateur, revives a classic spy narrative described by the esteemed critic Roger Ebert as “laughable.”This adaptation draws inspiration from Robert Littell’s 1981 novel of the same name, authored by the same writer known for The Company. Following the novel’s release, a film adaptation quickly emerged, but Ebert’s critique—having awarded it a mere two stars—implies that his laughter stemmed from discontent rather than amusement, revealing deeper flaws within the film’s execution.
Scheduled to hit theaters on April 11, 2025, The Amateur is helmed by director James Hawes, whose prior acclaim includes the dark comedy spy series Slow Horses and his feature film debut, One Life, starring Anthony Hopkins. Initial feedback indicates a positive reception, with Rotten Tomatoes reflecting a 68% critic score and an impressive 87% audience score at the time of writing. The film is poised to enter a competitive weekend at the box office, where it will contend with Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza’s Warfare along with Christopher Landon’s Drop.
The Journey from Novel to Film: The 1982 Adaptation
A Forgotten Box Office Flop
The story of The Amateur began as a novel, which transitioned to the big screen in 1982, featuring performances by John Savage, Marthe Keller, and the late Christopher Plummer. Screenwriter Diana Maddox adapted the screenplay, with direction by Charles Jarrott. Savage, known for his roles in iconic war films like The Thin Red Line and The Deer Hunter, portrayed the protagonist Charles Heller, a character that Malek embodies in this new iteration. Notably, Heller stands out as the sole character carried over from the original film, with Professor Lakos, played by Plummer, absent in the remake.
The original film debuted in Canada in December 1981 before premiering in the U.S. in early 1982. It accumulated approximately $6.9 million globally, falling short against an estimated $10 million production budget—resulting in its status as a box office disappointment. Its Rotten Tomatoes audience score stands at a lukewarm 59%, indicating a lack of lasting popularity. Meanwhile, the book itself has garnered more favorable reviews, although Ebert’s assessment of the 1982 film clearly highlighted his dissatisfaction with this adaptation.
Ebert’s Critical Perspective on the 1982 Film
Critiques of Casting and Plot
Among the earliest critiques available online, Ebert noted in his two-star review that The Amateur began promisingly but soon faltered. He remarked, “After earning our attention with its understated, powerful opening, the movie develops into a routine, even laughable, spy thriller.”
His critique pointed to John Savage’s performance, suggesting he might have been miscast, stating, “He plays a man who is consumed by a burning vengeance, yet portrays him with hesitations and uncertainties that strip away the film’s momentum.”Ebert also criticized the film’s lackluster plot, observing, “The Amateur stumbles as it fixates on the absurdities of its storyline, becoming mired in implausibility.”Additionally, Ebert found Heller’s ineptitude to be laughable, implying that “This guy would be too incompetent to clear customs. He wanders about Prague looking like a tourist on a leash.”Fans of Malek will hope that the updated portrayal of Heller showcases greater competence, despite the character’s inherent complexity.
Current Critical Reception of Rami Malek’s The Amateur
Promising Yet Underwhelming Reviews
While Roger Ebert isn’t here to weigh in on this new version, contemporary critics have been vocal about their opinions. David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter offers a cautiously positive take, appreciating the film’s cerebral approach to the revenge thriller genre: “While I love a brawny Jason Statham beatdown, it’s a welcome change to see a revenge thriller in which the hero uses brains instead of fists or guns.”Conversely, David Ehrlich of IndieWire provides a more critical evaluation, giving The Amateur a C+, stating it is “an aggressively competent spy thriller that has less use for logic than its lead actor does for his smile.”
The overall consensus suggests that while critics appreciate aspects of 2025’s The Amateur, they remain largely unimpressed by its execution. Brian Tallerico from RogerEbert.com awarded the film a lower rating than Ebert’s original, scoring it 1.5 stars. Tallerico describes it as “a film in which an ordinary guy becomes an international murderer, yet it has no heartbeat, taking a clinical approach to chaos.”Although critical support exists for 2025’s The Amateur, the film has not yet managed to capture the audience’s full enthusiasm.