POLITICAL THRILLERS: “The Amateur” (1981 and 2025) / “Official Secrets.” / “Parkland.”

“The Amateur” (1981, Hulu), directed by Charles Jarrott, and  “The Amateur” (2025, Hulu), directed by James Hawes, spy thriller based on the 1981 novel by Robert Littell. A CIA cryptographer seeks revenge after his wife is killed in a terrorist attack in London. When the CIA doesn't pursue the case to his satisfaction, he blackmails them into training him as an operative to take matters into his own hands. He embarks on a dangerous journey to track down and kill those responsible for his wife's death. 

Clearly, the 2025 version is a lot more exciting than the 1981 version. Rami Malek’s Charlie Heller is more engaging and concentrated than John Savage’s version. Plus we have engaging performers such as Rachel Brosnahan, Caitríona Balfe, Michael Stuhlbarg, Julianne Nicholson, and Laurence Fishburne as star-quality support to Mr Malek. Though Christopher Plummer was fine in the former. 🎥💻📽

<>“Official Secrets” (2019, Plex) British drama, based on the case of whistleblower Katharine Gun. In early 2003, GCHQ analyst Katharine Gun obtained a memo detailing a joint United States and British operation to spy on diplomats from several non–permanent United Nations Security Council member states (Cameroon, Chile, Bulgaria and Guinea), to "dig dirt" on them. This was to influence the Security Council into passing a resolution supporting an invasion of Iraq.

       Keira Knightley stars as Katharine Gun. She delivered a not too shabby performance, along with co-stars Ralph Fiennes as Katharine’s lawyer Ben Emmerson and Matt Smith as journalist Martin Bright but the thrill wasn’t there. The director, Gavin Hood, did an exemplary job in South Africa’s 2005 gem “Tsotsi.” But not on this one, sorry. 🎥💻📽

“Parkland” (2013, Hulu) historical drama film that recounts the chaotic events that occurred following the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy. Based on Vincent Bugliosi's 2008 book “Reclaiming History Four Days in November: The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy.” 

       This is a movie that is replete with stars: Billy Bob Thornton, Paul Giamatti, Marcia Gay Harden, Jacki Weaver, Jeremy Strong, James Badge Dale, Zac Efron, Jackie Earle Haley, Colin Hanks, David Harbour, Ron Livingston, Gil Bellows, Rory Cochrane, and Mark Duplass. But that’s it. Stars but no thrill. All are simply talking heads despite the characters’ seemingly massively dramatic part in the tragic event. 🎥💻📽