Amateur (1994)

An amnesiac wakes up on an NYC alley. He meets Isabelle, an ex nun now erotic writer, at a diner and follows her home. She helps him find his identity. Then there's Sofia, the porn star.

Director:

Hal Hartley

Writer:

Hal Hartley

Stars:

Isabelle Huppert, Martin Donovan, Elina Löwensohn

1 win & 2 nominations.

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	...	Waitress
Terry Alexander	...	Frank, the Cook
Holt McCallany	...	Usher
Hugh Palmer	...	Warren
Michael Imperioli	...	Doorman at Club
Angel Caban	...	Detective
Emmanuel Xuereb	...	Bartender

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.

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Plot Keywords:

pornographer | new york city | nun | amnesia | pantyhose | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

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

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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.

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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.

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Connections

References Band of Outsiders (1964)

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Soundtracks

Here
Written by Stephen Malkmus and Scott Kanberg (as Scott Kannberg)
Performed by Pavement
Courtesy of Matador Records and the Domino Recording Co Ltd

User Reviews

Likably offbeat fare.

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)

Details

Official Sites:

Sony

Country:

USA UK France

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 May 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amador

Filming Locations:

19th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,300,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$757,088

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$757,088

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Playhouse, Channel Four Films, La Sept Cinéma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1