Amateur

I didn't know it was possible for an entire film to exist in the Uncanny Valley. The behavior of every single character is bizarre and alien, but in fascinating (and admittedly hilarious) ways, and the plot is like an offbeat combination of David Lynch, Lifetime, and a French erotic thriller. Whatever else you can say about this one, it's always entertaining.

The delivery of Hartley's dialogue is so stilted and deadpan you quickly realize it's an "effect" he deploys to disarm those expecting something naturalistic. I don't really know if it works, but it definitely makes situations weird and unintentionally hilarious: "I find you very attractive and I'm interested in commodities. I studied economics, I know what I'm talking about." uhhhhh???

As irritating as amnesia plots are in general, they bother me little when the main purpose addresses identity, and not solely to provide mystery. It could have gone further with the material, but the off-kilter ambiance made it unique.

A not entirely successful comedy drama hybrid, but like all Hartley films, even when it doesn't work, it's never boring. It's always fun watching Isabelle Huppert act and it has a kickass soundtrack too featuring PJ Harvey, Liz Phair, My Bloody Valentine, and Pavement. Hal Hartley and I have the exact same taste in music.

"How can you be a nymphomaniac and never have sex?" "I'm choosy." + + + "Do you resent your position as a women in the movie industry? I'm sorry, but I find you very attractive and I'm interested in commodities."