Amateur . Tucson Weekly . 07-13-95

Amateur

DIRECTED BY: Hal Hartley

REVIEWED: 07-13-95

Hal Hartley's arid, deadpan style has its limitations. While the director's affectless approach heightened the psychological drama (and comic tension) of previous films like Trust, this tale of three porno-industry lost souls trying to find escape, identity and redemption is too structured to arouse either laughs or sympathy. Moving out of the complacent suburbia of his previous films into the grungy alleyways of downtown New York, Hartley needs a jolt of energy to match, but he never finds it--not even during a whimsical electroshock torture sequence.

--Zachary Woodruff

Other Films by Hal Hartley
Book of Life
Flirt
Henry Fool

Film Vault Suggested Links
Psych-Out
Trees Lounge
Ringmaster

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