Arnold
CibbuanoAmelie
November 1st 2006 10:05
Amelie (2001)
I knew that this film would be good, I just didn't expect it to be that good. It should be obvious from my many reviews that I tend to enjoy films a lot, but films rarely touch me in the way that this one did - it made me feel so much.
Amelie, the girl of the title, is a shy and imaginative young woman living alone in Paris. One day she discovers someone's hidden childhood treasures in her apartment, and the initiative she takes from here on in sets in place a chain of wondrous events, affecting the lives of everyone she sets her sights on. However, when such a wondrous change comes looking for her, she finds herself emotionally incapacitated.
This was a unique experience for me. The film focuses on the little pleasures that life offers us, the little things that make each one of us an individual, and celebrates them lovingly and unconditionally. The director, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, manages to pull off dazzling sequences that would come across on paper as unfilmable to most. That the audience is never left in the dark, and is clued in on the emotional responses of each character, is a remarkable feat to achieve. It overwhelmed me.
Audrey Tatou is absolutely gorgeous, and indelible as our wide-eyed heroine Amelie. The supporting cast, whilst completely unrecognisable to the likes of this non-French speaking reviewer, are almost equally as wonderful in their parts, some using very little screen time to establish exceptionally memorable characters.
There isn't much else to say - this is a beautiful film. Strikingly original, completely engrossing, and beyond entertaining, with something of the lost innocence of childhood about it. It saddens me that some people will probably overlook it because it's in French, but I guess such is the struggle of 'foreign' films.
TRIVIA: 'Amelie' is the highest-grossing European film of all time (so far). It was shot in Germany, despite being set in France and featuring an all-French cast.
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Comment by Little Angry Doll
Falling Haiku Leaf
Inner West Life
Jean-Pierre Jeunet is apparently going to direct The Life of Pi
Comment by Hellvis
Earache Hotel
If you liked this Luke, definitely check out City of Lost Children and Delicatessen if you haven't already. Jeunet reuses some of his cast members, especially the guy from the cafe with the weird square jaw who had sex with the cigarette counter woman in the bathroom.
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
I haven't seen Delicatessen but I did see 'A Very Long Engagement' which was pretty good.
'Life of Pi' eh? If anyone could do it justice it might be Jeunet. I heard at one point M. Night Shymalan wanted to direct Life of Pi, which would've been terrible.
Comment by Anonymous
One of my favourite moments in Amelie is when Colignon's assistant is serving the two elderly ladies because Colignon has fallen asleep from Amelies previous prank.
Do you notice who they are from The City of Lost Children?
They're the conjoined twins!
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Personally, I love French movies. They have a different sensibility than English cinema...
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Comment by Laura
yes Amelie = tres good movie! Its true, French movies = so different to english/american ones
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
City Of Lost Children is one of the finest adult fairytales ever asembled.
Delicatessen is wonderfully quirky and imaginative laced with a delicatable comedy.
Alien Ressurection, misunderstood and IMO misrepresented it carries on the science and themes of the others with some nice visuals.
Now onto Amelie, even though Im a huge fan of the filmmakers thsi just isnt the sort of film I normally like, sickly sweet.
Thankfully its made with so much flair and passionate cinematic style that it won me over by the half way point. Splendid to look at and emotionally satisfying. cant judge this one by its cover.
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior