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Amateur (1994)

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Average Rating: 6.1/10
Reviews Counted: 24
Fresh: 18 | Rotten: 6

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 2

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User Ratings: 3,197

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Movie Info

Hal Hartley's fourth feature is a significant break from the quirky romantic comedy territory of his previous work -- though all of the deadpan idiosyncracies which make him such a singular filmmaker remain intact, here he tries his hand at the thriller genre, a move yielding typically unconventional and innovative results. Amateur stars Hartley mainstay Martin Donovan as Thomas, an amnesiac who, in the first scenes, wakes up in an alley, badly injured; he stumbles to a nearby coffeeshop where

R, 1 hr. 45 min.

Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense, Comedy

Directed By: Hal Hartley

Written By: Hal Hartley

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1995 Wide

On DVD: Nov 11, 2003

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Amateur Trailer & Photos

Cast

Isabelle Huppert
Isabelle
Martin Donovan
Thomas
Elina L�wensohn
Sofia
Damian Young
Edward
Chuck Montgomery
Jan
David Simonds
Kurt
Pamela Stewart
Officer Melville
Terry Alexander
Frank the Cook
Angel Caban
Detective
Erica Gimpel
Irate Woman
Michael Imperioli
Doorman at Club
Holt McCallany
Usher
James McCauley
Policeman
Tim Blake Nelson
Young Detective
David Troup
Guard
Emmanuel Xuereb
Bartender
David Greenspan
George the Pornographer
Jamie Harrold
Pizza Guy
Parker Posey
Girl Squatter
Paul Schulze
Cop Who Shoots Thomas
Dwight Ewell
Boy Squatter
Michael Gaston
Sharpshooter
Currie Graham
Video Store Clerk
Dave Simonds

Critic Reviews for Amateur

All Critics (35) | Top Critics (8) | Fresh (20) | Rotten (6) | DVD (6)

An enjoyable quirky-humored hit man flick.

March 24, 2010 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

| Comment

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Less quirky than earlier films, Amateur pushes its humor too hard and the conceit of amnesia is absurd, but there are poignant observations about purity versus experience and ignorance versus knowledge.

April 29, 2006 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

| Comment

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

A deadpan examination of coincidence versus signs; tangibility versus faith.

February 15, 2004 Full Review Source: ToxicUniverse.com

| Comment

Jeremiah Kipp

ToxicUniverse.com

Comes across as an interesting study of the ways in which we are all amatuers at changing our lives.

August 30, 2002 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

| Comment

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

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Audience Reviews for Amateur

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Stylistic romantic/comedy/thriller that builds slowly as an amnesiac endeavors to discover his identity. Nice performances in sort of an Hitchcockian homage, particularly by one Damien Young.

June 22, 2011

moon rivers

Super Reviewer

One of Hal Hartley's classics, this time it's not a romantic comedy set on Long Island but rather a thriller.. well sort of, more like an anti-thriller actually. As always in Hartley's movies, it's all about the dialogue.

August 15, 2011