Amelie

Rating:
Summary: Simply enchanting!
Review: Amèlie (Le fabouleux destin d'Amèlie Poulain) is the kind of film you just can't find in Hollywood. It's enchanting, magical and gorgeous, with a very endearing story, very imaginative visuals and the perfect actress in the perfect role.

Amélie (played by the lovely Audrey Tautou, 'Dirty pretty things') is a young woman living by herself in Paris, working as a waitress in a café. On the day that Princess Diana's death she finds an old toy box behind her bathroom tiles, and she decides to look for the man who used to own those toys - if he's moved by this discovery, she will dedicate her life to helping others be happier. Obviously, the man breaks into tears at the realization that his long lost, boyhood treasures return to him, so Amélie embarks in many a project to help her father, her neighbors, friends and co-workers find happiness.

However, Amélie herself is not really happy, as she has not found true love yet. She needs a man who shares her dreams and her outlook on life. Thus appears Nino (Mathieu Kassovitz, 'Birthday girl', director of 'Gothika' with Halle Berry and Penelope Cruz, and 'The Crimsom rivers' with Jean Reno), a weird young man who collects torn photomat pictures, discarded by unsatisfied costumers. Amélie follows Nino and tries to arrange for him to meet her, in one of the most romantic cat & mouse games you'll ever see.

Director's Jean-Pierre Jeunet's ('City of lost children', 'Delicatessen')use of colors and unusual camera angles give an incredible visual styling to this movie, and enhance the magical elements of the story. Another gorgeous element of this movie is it's soundtrack. Yann Tiersen's use of the accordion gives the music much of its Parisian feel.

Nominated for five Academy Awards (although it didn't win any of them), including Cinematography, Foreign Language Film, Art Direction, Sound and Original Screenplay, Amélie is a movie you'll want to share with a loved one, and that you'll cherish for all your life.

Rating:
Summary: Amélie donne la chance de rêver qu'on peut changer la vie.
Review: Amélie Poulain est une jeune fille curieuse. Pendant son enfance, elle a éprouvé la mort de sa mère qui s'est faite écrasée par une touriste en chute de la cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris et son père qui transpose son affection pour sa femme sur un nain insolite dans le jardin. Amélie a grandi, et est devenue serveuse dans un café parisien de Montmartre qui s'appelle 'les deux moulins', et elle passe son temps à regarder tout le monde. Elle conçoit des idées pour raccommoder les adversités de la vie des autres, mais le film se métamorphose en une histoire d'amour quand Amélie rencontre un jeune homme aussi bizarre q'elle, et ils tombent amoureux.

Malgré tout, ce n'est pas un film seulement pour les romantiques, mais pour tous les gens qui aiment rire et vivre. Ce film est assurément inventif. C'est l'un des meilleurs films de ma vie parce qu'il nous encourage à nous ouvrir à la vie comme un enfant. Thomas Sotinel de « Le Monde » 24/04/2001, a admirablement résumé le film comme étant "Un espace pour l'imagination et le rêve."

L'industrie du film français produit amplement des films qui ont des histoires honnêtement remarquables, mais il arrive moins souvent qu'un film qui n'est pas américain soit aussi bien filmé avec des effets spéciaux comme dans 'Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain'.

Les images du film sont magnifiques et à nous faire rêver. Elles sont nettes et utilisent des couleurs vraiment fortes. En fait, j'ai remarqué que dans ses autres films, Jean-Pierre Jeunet prend avantage des couleurs rouge et vert et c'est également clair dans Amélie Poulain. Il faut voir ce film au cinéma sur un grand écran pour éprouver toute la beauté des images.

La bande originale du film 'Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain', composée par Yann Tiersen, est sûrement ce qui apporte au film une grande part de sa profondeur. Partout, les paroles et l'esprit de la musique sont toujours en accord avec tout ce qu'il se passe dans le film. Les chansons, les vieilles comme les nouvelles, sont typiquement françaises et encore d'actualité aujourd'hui. En un mot, la Musique est brillamment conçue, et sans la musique ce ne serait pas le même expérience du tout.

Le film 'Amélie Poulain' est un vrai petit bonheur qui nous fait du bien, peu importe notre âge, nationalité ou nos émotions. Le film, avec son humour plein de malice, nous fait sourire abondamment, du début à la fin. Il nous donne la chance de rêver qu'on peut changer la vie.

Rating:
Summary: Visually stunning - but the plot?
Review: I can't agree that this is the "most charming movie ever made," but it is one of the most beautiful. If you watch it, pay attention to the photography. Nearly every frame is a watercolor painting come to life, even the most mundane scenes.

Take, for instance, the snippet where Amelie encounters the man playing the record player in the subway. Look at the colors, and how even the buttons on the man's coat echoes the peas in the painting behind him. Look, too, at the colors in the concierge's apartment and in the park -- everywhere! It is a feast for the eyes!

The colors and compositions are astounding, and the acting -- right down to the most minor characters -- is superb. Yet, I found the characterization and plot somewhat empty. It's all very cute and all, with Amelie going around trying to "fix" up people's lives, but it drags on way too long and ultimately ends on a rather meaningless note.

It's more than mere eye candy -- but less than a truly fulfilling film.

Rating:
Summary: A visual feast
Review: I use Amélie to teach film techniques in my high school mass media class. The movie can be separated into vignettes and the color, light, sound, camera angles, and editing are made for film analysis.

It has some sexy bits (eight-second 15-orgasm scene and the porn palace), but it's not too embarrassing to show to seniors.

The film has a positive, uplifting message that's told with good humor. Most of my kids (who hate subtitles) like this movie despite having to read it. Many even buy it.

Rating:
Summary: Touching story of how one can touch the lives of many
Review: Amelie is an absolutely wonderful story of how one young girl can touch the lives of so many around her. She is successful in helping her father, her friends, and even complete strangers find happiness. The problem comes when it is time to help herself. Can a shy girl who grew up alone with no friends overcome her anxiety in time to keep from missing out on her chance at happiness?

Highly recommend this movie as a real uplifting and thought provoking look at how sometimes true happiness can only be found when we are willing to take a risk.

Rating:
Summary: It will definitely leave a smile on your face...
Review: In order to fully appreciate this film, the viewer has to focus not on all that it isn't, rather all that it is - a charming, entertaining and inspiring movie. It's not meant to be a realistic, "Wow, that could happen to me!" kind of movie. More like, "Wow, I WISH that could happen to me!" Amelie is a movie to watch when you're feeling kind of low, and need a good mood lifter.

Rating:
Summary: Oh la la!
Review: Summary
Once upon a time Amelie Poulin, a young lady unlike any other, lived in the heart of Paris. She underwent various difficulties in life such as witnessing the death of her mother in front of the Notre Dame church due to a woman who committed suicide from the heights of the church and landed on her. As well as having to hear her father endlessly talk about his obsession with a garden dwarf statue, she decides to leave this depressing home and live in Montmartre working as a waitress in a petit café. At the age of 22, Amelie finds her purpose in life, which is fixing other's lives. She invents all sorts of strategies to help people incognito.
Her mission is suddenly disturbed by the sight of a strange man, Nino Quincampoix, who works part time in a haunted house and in a sex-shop. He collects fractions of pictures found under photo-taking machines in the metro. Amelie is suddenly romantically moved for the first time, and decides to play a little hide-and-seek with Nino... Oh la la!

Movie Review
Le Fabuleux Destin D'Amelie Poulin, a truly delicious piece of eye candy, coming from the sweet heart of Paris, wrapped up in an innocent story of a young mademoiselle named Amelie. Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet; starring well known Audrey Tautou as Amelie, and Mathieu Kassovitz as Nino Quincompoix who give the movie zing of Parisian flavor and fantasy.
Amelie, at the age of 22 decides to leave her home and strike out on her own; tired of the conflicts she is surrounded by in her childhood home. She moves into a small Montmartre apartment, the epitome of French living, and thus begins an interesting adventure, of a girl's self-imposed mission to change others lives.
The choice of Audrey Tatou an actress with her own magical qualities was the perfect choice for leading role in the movie; truly embodying the character of this innocent and naive yet mystical girl. Rather than making her role one of a outlandish child, she portrays the magic and imagination that this movie offers in a smooth manner. Mathieu Kassovitz is the perfect complementary actor to Audrey as he portrays a nonsensical character with his own peculiar personality. Queer characters, up and out of the normal perspective, make this a dramatic yet romantic comedy unlike any other. Giving everyone a distinct story, filled with details, and a history, and broadening the horizon for an appealing cinematic work.
Jean-Pierre Jeunet uses special effects throughout the movie sparingly, making each one have an important role in the meaning of the movie. For example, when Amelie literally turns to water as she thinks about Nino because she is hopelessly in love. These small details not only make an impact on the audience, yet give the movie a variety of symbols. The camerawork helps the movie, making it in some way unrealistic which is what Amelie Poulain is all about. The director uses quick-cuts, and a wide spectrum of colors, depending on the mood of the moment creating a film that the viewer can appreciate visually, through the character's gests and also through the well thought out shades of colors throughout the movie.
Besides visual effects, music plays an important role in the mood of the film, offering whimsical and melancholy notes. The music is brought together by the synchronized sound of accordion, piano and guitar, giving the movie emotions through sound. As well as offering feelings it also gives the movie a typical Parisian scene, mixed in with the sight of the most fabulous neighborhood in Paris, Montmartre.
Voila! Amelie Poulin, a film leaving all ages with cheek pain due to over-smiling and laughing throughout the movie. Such imagination and enchanting qualities feed the eyes of the audience with a different film, one that reaches cinematographic summits, and take minds on a 2 hour escape to candy land. Encore!

Rating:
Summary: I can't help but smile.
Review: This movie makes you feel wonderful inside. It is the best movie I have ever seen.

Rating:
Summary: Refreshing non-Hollywood movie
Review: Excellent movie that will make you feel so good. Audrey Tautou is absolutely adorable and pulls you into this movie by her excellent performance.

Rating:
Summary: Favourite Movie
Review: This is my favourite movie ever. Amelie is the sweetest person and her good deeds are inspiring. I felt so great after watching this movie that I was utterly speechless. I think i'm going to watch it again tonight!