Amsterdam Review: 5 Ups & 5 Downs

3. John David Washington's Off-Key Performance

Amsterdam John David Washington
20th Century Studios

Though Amsterdam's ensemble cast basically delivers in spite of the aforementioned issues, there is one surprising weak link in the pack, and that's John David Washington.

Washington plays lawyer and war veteran Harold Woodsman - basically the best pal of the film's protagonist Dr. Burt Berendsen (Christian Bale), and the movie's second lead character.

Yet Washington's performance comes off as strangely leaden throughout, especially during his scenes with Margot Robbie's former nurse Valerie Voze.

Despite their romantic entanglement, there's little chemistry to be found, and given the quality of Robbie's performance, it feels like the blame lies more on Washington's side.

It of course doesn't help that Washington spends most of the movie paired with two actors whose performances are expertly dialled in, but even so, it's an oddly low-energy, lackluster effort from the otherwise talented actor.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.