After falling from the window of a New York City apartment, a man named Thomas (Martin Donovan) awakens as an amnesiac. Wandering into a diner, he meets Isabelle (Isabelle Huppert), an former nun who writes pornography while waiting patiently for God to reveal her mission in life. A deeply spiritual yet sexually curious woman who has yet to be physically intimate with anyone, Isabelle invites Thomas to stay at her apartment, where she propositions him. But before they can consummate their relationship, the clairvoyant Isabelle senses a connection between Thomas and infamous porn star Sofia (Elina Löwensohn). Though Thomas now seems kindhearted, as he and Isabelle search out his true identity, they come upon some unpleasant truths about the man he was.
Hal Hartley's AMATEUR carries the tone of mystery and imminent violence inherit in Hollywood thrillers while retaining the director's quirky and unique aesthetic. Hartley regulars Donovan and Löwensohn are in fine form and well-matched by the elegant yet naive Huppert. The film also includes appearances by Parker Posey, Dwight Ewell, and Tim Blake Nelson. In addition to its strong cast, AMATEUR features a delightfully deadpan script which adds an absurd quality to the proceedings, making this one of Hartley's most fascinating films.
