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