Film Review: ‘The Amateur’ Delivers a Gritty, Complex Twist on the Classic ‘Revenge of the Nerds’

(By Dwight Brown NNPA Film Critic) Hell’s wrath is formidable, especially when aimed by a jilted nerd. The narrative unfolds as an eccentric CIA employee embarks on a vengeful journey after losing his beloved. While iconic figures like Jason Bourne and Ethan Hunt dominate the espionage genre, the story of Charlie Heller (Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody), a basement-dwelling coder at CIA headquarters, introduces a fresh twist. Adapted from Robert Littell’s novel, this compelling tale has been skillfully transformed into a captivating film by director James Hawes (One Life).