Amateur (1994)

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

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

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:

$856,422

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

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

Thomas: How can you be a nymphomaniac and never had sex?
Isabelle: I'm choosy.

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Connections

Referenced in The Waiter (1997)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

how much can be said with so little!

I just adore this movie.I like to remember its precious lines and, particularly, its superb acting. The idea of an ex-nun writing pornography sounds an interesting one, as does her relationship with an amnesiac and an ice-cold porn star. The mystery plot is quite risible but by then you are already so inside the film that the wonderful performances manage to keep you interested. Hartley's rich creation of each of the 3 main characters finds a perfect response in each of the performances carried out by Isabelle Huppert, Martin Donovan and Elina Lowensohn, creating an incredibly touching sense of vulnerability, interdependence already suggested by the opening credits and its unforgettable music.

The conception of the characters finds great help in the paused acting and staticism of the actors, making the most of each single move of their faces. This finds its parangon in Huppert's stunning turn. We already knew how great the red-haired was (see Une affaire de femmes, to name one), but she deals here with a character which could have resulted grotesque in other hands. She provides innocence, freakiness, sympathy and a thousand more in one, making it inevitable to want to embrace her when the curtain is down and tears go down your face. Isabelle, you are the greatest!!!