Amateur (1994)

In the heart of New York City, Thomas, an amnesiac with a haunting past, awakens in a forgotten alley. His memory is a blank canvas, wiped clean of the dark hues of his old life. Unbeknownst to him, he was once a relentless pornographer, the puppet-master behind the rise of Sofia, his young wife turned infamous porn queen. Believing she's committed the ultimate act, Sofia has taken flight, leaving a trail of chaos in her wake. As fate would have it, Thomas stumbles into a diner where he meets Isabelle, an ex-nun turned erotic novelist, who seems to be waiting for a divine assignment from the heavens. Their chance encounter leads to an odd companionship, as Isabelle, intrigued and compassionate, offers to help him unravel the tangled threads of his forgotten identity. Together, they plunge into the murky depths of Thomas's past, a journey that is as much a quest for self-discovery as it is a race against time. Because what Thomas doesn't realize is that his past is more than just a missing piece of his memory—it's a ticking time bomb ready to explode, and it's catching up with him. Balancing on the tightrope of their own secrets and desires, Thomas and Isabelle must confront the truths they've been running from, while Sofia, the notorious porn queen, remains on the loose. In this riveting tale of forgotten identities and hidden sins, the line between the saint and the sinner blurs, leaving the audience yearning for more. 'Amateur' is a thrilling rollercoaster ride through the labyrinth of the human psyche, testing the limits of redemption, love, and the enduring power of memory.

Amateur is a comedy movie featuring Isabelle Huppert and directed by Hal Hartley.

Amateur is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.