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Amateur (1994)

R | | Comedy , Crime , Drama | 19 May 1995 (USA)
Amateur Poster
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2:09 | Trailer

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Isabelle is an ex-nun waiting for her special mission from God. In the meantime, she is making a living writing pornography. She meets Thomas, a sweet, confused amnesiac who cannot remember... See full summary »

Director:

Hal Hartley

Writer:

Hal Hartley

Stars:

Isabelle Huppert, Martin Donovan, Elina Löwensohn | See full cast & crew »
53
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1 win & 2 nominations. See more awards »

Videos

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Photos

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Isabelle Huppert ... Isabelle
Martin Donovan ... Thomas Ludens
Elina Löwensohn ... Sofia Ludens
Damian Young ... Edward, Jaque's Accountant
Chuck Montgomery ... Jan, Jaque's Goon
Dave Simonds ... Kurt, Jaque's Goon
Pamela Stewart ... Officer Patsy Melville
Erica Gimpel ... Irate Woman
Jan Leslie Harding Jan Leslie Harding ... Waitress
Terry Alexander ... Frank, the Cook
Holt McCallany ... Usher
Hugh Palmer Hugh Palmer ... Warren
Michael Imperioli ... Doorman at Club
Angel Caban Angel Caban ... Detective
Emmanuel Xuereb ... Bartender
See full cast »
Edit

Storyline

Isabelle is an ex-nun waiting for her special mission from God. In the meantime, she is making a living writing pornography. She meets Thomas, a sweet, confused amnesiac who cannot remember that he used to be a vicious pornographer, responsible for turning his young wife, Sofia, into the world's most notorious porn queen. Sofia's on the run, convinced she's killed him. Together, Isabelle and Thomas set out to discover his past, a past waiting to catch up with him. Written by L.H. Wong <as9401k56@ntuvax.ntu.ac.sg>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

pornographer | new york city | nun | amnesia | pantyhose | See All (16) »

Taglines:

Accountancy, Murder, Amnesia, Torture, Ecstasy, Understanding, Redemption

Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Official Sites:

Sony

Country:

USA | UK | France

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 May 1995 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Amador See more »

Filming Locations:

19th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA See more »
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Box Office

Budget:

$2,300,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$856,422
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Playhouse,Channel Four Films,La Sept Cinéma See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby | Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Isabelle Huppert got the lead role by writing to the director and begging for a part in his next film. See more »

Goofs

Towards the end when Edward shoots Jan multiple times, after Jan finally collapses and dies he is obviously still breathing as the scene ends. See more »

Quotes

Sofia: So I'm an article of trade?
Kurt: Yes. A useful thing in terms of classic capitalism. I studied economics, I know what I'm talking about.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in The Waiter (1997) See more »

Soundtracks

Japanese to English
(1996)
by Mark Kozelek
Performed by Red House Painters
Courtesy of Sub Pop Records
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Likably offbeat fare.
7 October 2003 | by gridoon – See all my reviews

Hal Hartley's "Amateur" is an engagingly offbeat take on the "crime thriller" genre. It is also perhaps the most quietly thoughtful handling of amnesia (not as a plot trick, but as a subject) you're ever likely to see. But be warned: Hartley's refreshingly non-mainstream, detached, minimalist style takes quite some getting used to, and the ending is needlessly downbeat. (**1/2)
10 of 12 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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