Rating: 
Summary: Where is the movie?
Review: I must have missed something somewhere. I expected a "movie." You know, where you are entertained by an uninterrupted, captivating, interesting story with a plot. I bought the DVD...and I am going to try to return it. I could not watch even 20% of this thing. I took the first disk out of the player and put in the second one, searching for the one with the "movie." All I saw was narrated scenes with someone speaking French in the background. Also, I had to have the subtitle on to see what else was being said. I don't know if I didn't watch the thing long enough, if I got some weird DVD cut, or if I just don't get it. There is no way I can call this thing a movie, you know, "movie" ("...as to create the illusion of motion and continuit"). I did learn one thing . . . I will NEVER buy any French movie again.
Rating: 
Summary: a special feature is missing! >:(
Review: "A Quai" music video is not on the dvd, yet it is listed on this page! I really wanted to see that too... grrrr
Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic Film, DVD could be improved
Review: First off, my wife and I have a long standing rivalry when it comes to "Chick Flicks" and "Manly" movies... So when I saw Amelie on a plane, I thought I would surprise her with a great film that she would enjoy and I could gain some brownie points (even though I too enjoyed the movie immensely). Without insulting the "purists" among those who may read this, I have to say that - for initial viewing - I think the lack of English dubbing on the DVD distracts from the movie. One of the greatest things about Amelie is the visuals and the creative images in the film: its simply wonderful to look at. I found myself spending half the time reading and, unfortunately, missing the visuals. That was fine for me, as I had already "seen" it, but I don't think my wife got the same pleasure, though she too enjoyed the film. That said, I still highly recommend the film, but think that it may be best enjoyed after multiple viewings, when you know the story and can focus on the wonderful visuals.
Rating:
Summary: Charming, fresh and original...
Review: Amelie was one of the best films I have seen this year. I absolutely loved it! Certain films have the ability to give you a fresh perspective - they can change the way you look at things - and Amelie is one of those films. And rarer still, Amelie combines this ability with some really hilarious moments and some equally touching scenes! More specifically, my favorite thing about Amelie is its originality and creativity. It had a unique style that really allowed the viewer to get into the heads and hearts of the characters. This is probably due in part to the sarcastic, funny, and clever script and the remarkably effective voice over narration (which really sets the tone for the movie). Also, Amelie's originality and freshness is due to the interesting directing style. Essentially, Amelie is about a young French waitress (Audrey Tautou) who decides to help people fix up their lives. In her haste to help others, however,... This plot summary really doesn't convey the charming quality of the movie...but believe me it was wonderful! The acting was also great, and Audrey Tautou really reminded me of the other Audrey, the great Audrey Hepburn. They share the same shy glances, pretty faces, and delicate charm. In fact, in one scene in particular (when Amelie goes to meet Nino at the merry-go-round), I was sure that the director was poking fun at a classic Audrey Hepburn movie, Charade (where Audrey and Cary Grant meet in front of a merry-go-round), by dressing Amelie up in Audrey Hepburn style clothing. Did anyone else notice this? Anyhow, I don't know how else to recommend this movie. It made my day! In one word: WONDERFUL!
Rating:
Summary: Stupid movie for brainless people...yes that's it !
Review: Read the review from Lolo (written July 14th) and you will understand what is really this "thing" because we cannot call that a movie and it's great to see that's some Frenchs and Americans folks have enough intelligence to clearly discover the hoax !
Zero star !
Rating: 
Summary: Wait for the US remake, and then don't see that one either
Review: This review is to help young gentlemen such as myself. Through the viewing of this film I have experienced no small amount of pain and, in these trying times, I feel it is my duty to save my fellow brethren from such a fate. My suggestion... stay away from this life sucker. This is a chick flick about a self-obsessed high maintenance hoochie-mama. If it was starring Julia Roberts and was set in New York, you wouldn't touch it with a ten foot loaf of French bread. Don't let the art house cloak fool you, this film will cause you pain. It seems there are many people out there who enjoy watching this character run around for 2+ hours (in France) acting real cute, hence the stack of good reviews. Hell, even I was curious. But to me it felt like 5 hours of, albeit beautifully shot, trite French torture. Some women will implore you to see this film. Ignore them! You may also want to carefully examine said women, as they probably feel akin to the heroin, and trust me, having a space cadet like Amelie in your life could only cause you harm in the long run. If a man (or dude, depending on were you come from) recommends this film, slowly back out of the room so as not to arouse suspicion. Once extricated from this potentially dangerous situation, run to the nearest phone an report him to the FBI. My understanding is that they're keeping a list of these people "just incase".
Rating:
Summary: Magical
Review: Breathtaking cinematography, amazing acting and a fabulous story. Utterly enchanting. After each time I watch this movie I am determined to see things I don't normally see in my every day life. It is truly inspirational and comical. Even those who don't like foreign films should check this out. You are truly missing out on the best movie made in YEARS if you don't.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT
Review: Should have won the oscar for the best foreign movie anyday. Should have won the oscar for the best movie, even without being nominated. Great great movie, love that guy Jean-Pierre Jeunet. All his have been great till date.
Rating:
Summary: The DVD features are almost a marvel in themselves. . . .
Review: Just after the start of the director's commentary in English on disc 1 of "Amelie," Jean-Pierre Jeunet warns the viewer something along these lines: "If you want to keep the beauty of the film, the poetry of the film, intact . . . DON'T LISTEN TO ME!" Granted, that advice may hold true for the commentary, with Jeunel pointing out which beautiful images were really only special effects or how many takes were required of certain scenes that look completely natural in the context of the film. But it almost certainly does not hold true for the DVD treatment itself of "Amelie," which, even if it contained only half the features that it does, would STILL be one of the most wonderful and creative uses of the medium thus far. (And I say this because, as of right now, I've still only gotten through about half of those features myself!) Jean-Pierre Jeunet admits to being a "control freak" here, and that may well be a large reason for including a whole other disc of material whose running time is probably as long as "Amelie" itself. But, in this case at least, the backstory is just as engrossing, and it actually serves to complement "Amelie's" themes of destiny and that sense of wonder that goes unnoticed by most people. Here's the best of what I've seen of it so far: -- At the Q&A with Jeunet at the American Cinematheque in L.A. last January, he good-naturedly apologizes for his broken English; as with that version of the director's commentary, an interpreter prompts him periodically. (Of course, considering that he apparently didn't speak it at all when he directed "Alien: Resurrection," I didn't think his English was that bad.) He goes through a few of the true and even autobiographical elements of "Amelie" and, when asked about the influence of the French New Wave, blurts out, half-mockingly and to great applause, "FORGET THE NEW WAVE!" A "new wave" lasts for three seconds, Jeunet says -- not 50 years. Plus, he said it was better to make a French film that the audience would enjoy -- not just the filmmakers. -- The screen tests feature Audrey Tautou, Urbain Cancelier (Collignon, the grocer) and Yolande Moreau (Madeleine Wallace, the concierge), but it's pretty obvious who's the star here. It's absolutely breathtaking to watch the lo-res video footage and see Audrey Tautou finish giving the screenmakers three-quarter shots of her face and then scrunch it up, open her eyes and just EMBODY Amelie -- and then go back to being an actress again. With Cancelier and Moreau, there's a similar sense that there's something happening, too. -- My favorite feature so far, though, is the informal chat with Jeunet, which basically features the director sitting in (presumably) his office, facing the camera and just talking in French about some of the details that he faced while preparing and filming "Amelie." Some of them seem downright laughable now: He'd said in interviews that he'd wanted to make a small French film with universal, heartwarming appeal but didn't think that he had the stuff for it, couldn't get financing at first for it and then was rebuffed at Cannes because the president of the festival thought the film depicted a "nauseating Paris." It's also interesting to visualize Emily Watson in the role of Amelie: Jeunet initially was so dead-set on getting her that he had an English version of the screenplay written because she didn't speak French. But, just as with "Amelie" itself, it's hard not to break into a smile when Jeunet describes the sensation that the movie caused in France. In the first weekend, "Amelie" almost equals the overall admissions of his first feature, "Delicatessen." The French title of the movie becomes a pun in newspaper headlines throughout the country. And, following a private screening at the Presidential Palace, Jacques Chirac declares it one of the best nights that he's ever had (after a bad day that apparently included burning himself while making eggs over easy) and feels invigorated enough to go back to work again. My favorite part, though, is when Jeunet shows off two pieces of mail that he received from a particularly solid fan of "Amelie." There's a thank-you letter featuring Fotomat pictures of the girl dressed up as Zorro and then what appears to be a mock-up of the Garden Gnome. Neither piece of mail has Jeunet's address: They get to him because the girl has written an apparently persuasive enough letter to her mailman and included it with each package. Anyway, you get the idea, and this is just a SMALL part of what's contained here. Of course, some of the stories are repeated a couple of times (both in English and in French), and it may be a bit extraneous to some viewers to sit through things like the Audrey Tautou blooper/out-take reel, the storyboard comparison and the multiple mentions that, YES, the color was digitally enhanced. But in a way, all these features reinforce the fact that "Amelie" really is a film much greater than the sum of its parts, and just as with the film itself, there's almost always something to catch your eye and demand your attention. Bottom line, though: The DVD package of "Amelie" is beautifully faithful to the magic of the theatrical version, and it will definitely be something to treasure for a long, long time.
Rating:
Summary: Best picture of 2001
Review: I saw all the 5 nominees for best picture for the academy awards (including A beautiful mind) and also the picture who won best foreign (no man's land) and this one has my vote for the best picture, american and foreign, of 2001. First of all it has a great look, not your typical color movie but more like a beautiful painting. You have a lot of green and red colors which makes it look different and particular but it works and the film look more artistic. One thing that makes a film work usually is the relation you develop with the main character(s), let me tell you I was in love with Amélie (Audrey Tautou) 5 minutes after I've seen her for the first time. She reminded me of the other Audrey (Hepburn) who you fell in love with everytime you see her on the screen. This Audrey Tautou has the charm and the beauty that I can't find anywhere today (Julia Roberts...don't make me laugh). Her character has such a beautiful soul and so many sweet qualities that you love and root for her even more as the story goes along. The other characters surrounding her during this wonderful story are all very colorful and all different in their own way which makes for a richer movie. Since I am a big fan of silent movie, I like the way the story is told, the screenplay is great but a lot is told by images. This is a visual film and I'm not talking about explosions and major hollywood special effects, the emotions of Amélie are often seen visually and this way of telling a story is not seen or not enough seen today. The great HBO series six feet under does that. The storyline is simple, Amélie tries to make everyone happy around her and not thinking about her own happiness, the magic is the way the story is told and the high caliber performance of Audrey Tautou. The director tell, in one of the interview that you can see on the disc 2 of this double disc DVD, that he wanted Emily Watson (the english actress) for the role of Amélie but she declined. She's a great actress but good for us cause Audrey Tautou is more than perfect. I've been waiting a few months for the US version of the movie (because here in Quebec we had a french release since june) and the wait is worthwhile. This is the ultimate version, you can see the french version with or without subtitles, 2 audio commentaries one in french (for me) and one in english and the second disc is full of interesting special features. Many interviews, screen tests, photos of the production, home movies and more. Thanks USA for this ultimate version which is much better than the single disc produced here.
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