Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Rami Malek's 'The Amateur' offers fresh take on spy genre with underdog hero
Actor Rami Malek / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea
By Baek Byung-yeul
Actor Rami Malek, star of the new espionage film “The Amateur,” believes the movie stands out from traditional spy thrillers by featuring an underdog protagonist, promising audiences the unique satisfaction of seeing an ordinary person achieve extraordinary things.
"I think what resonated so much about ('Bohemian Rhapsody') was an underdog story, someone you least expect and is overlooked, who goes on to do something really special, extraordinary and moves people. And there is a real underdog story here with this film that I think if you like watching someone rise above all the obstacles to achieve something special, you can relate ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ to ‘The Amateur,’" Malek told Korean media during an online press conference on Wednesday, referencing his Academy Award-winning role as Freddie Mercury in “Bohemian Rhapsody” (2018).
"The Amateur," which hit theaters here Wednesday, follows Charles Heller (Malek), a CIA cryptographer with no field experience, embarking on a mission to avenge the murder of his wife, Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan). He uses his exceptional intellect and technological skills to confront the terrorist group responsible.
The film differentiates itself from other spy thrillers by portraying Heller as initially vulnerable and unable to simply pull a trigger. To seek revenge, he undergoes spy training but ultimately relies on his genius in hacking and analysis rather than conventional firepower.
Malek elaborated on developing the character with director James Hawes, focusing on the stages of grief.
"The discussion that James and I had about these stages of grief always resonates with me ... it was a great North Star for us in terms of our conversations throughout the character arc," he said.
Unlike traditional action heroes, Heller hesitates to wield violence, which the actor said adds a deeper layer to the character.
“Another aspect of this that we've never seen before is someone really having to question if they can hold the trigger of the gun ... we really ask the audience to question what it takes to do that."
Actor Rami Malek in a scene from “The Amateur” / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea
The film is based on a 1981 novel of the same name by Robert Littell. Hawes, who also attended the event, shared the challenge and excitement of updating the original's setting for a contemporary audience.
"Obviously, the book was written in 1981 (when) there was a Cold War going on. Then we knew we needed to update it politically, culturally and technologically, and that was exciting," Hawes said.
"Mobile phones didn't even exist in 1981 ... Certainly, the amount of surveillance technology is both a challenge and an asset for filmmakers, and it played well into the idea of a person of Charlie Heller's intellect."
He also noted how the team worked to ensure the film's verisimilitude.
"We had advisors from the intelligence service ... from the CIA even, who could come with their experience and their expertise, and we stress-tested all the technology,” the director said.
Malek is well-known in Korea for his portrayal of British rock band Queen’s lead singer, Freddie Mercury, in the 2018 hit “Bohemian Rhapsody.” He expressed his gratitude for the reception that the film received.
"Words really can't explain it ... I wanted everyone at the studio to know how much Koreans appreciated ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’" he said.
"I feel honored. I feel privileged and I feel incredibly humbled to be part of a culture that has given us such exquisite cinema throughout the years. To be respected by yours for a film is something I don't take for granted and greatly appreciate."
The actor hopes "The Amateur" inspires audiences to look within themselves.
"What I hope and believe (is) that from any age demographic, walking out of this film, you will be imbued with something that is so inherent in your culture, a sense of honor, courage, integrity, resolve," Malek said.
"You'll walk out holding your head held high, hopefully, and embracing something inside of yourself for a moment that perhaps you can take into the future.”