Amélie (Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain)

Jean-Pierre Jeunet, France, Germany, 2001, 122 minutes

Amélie Poulain is a waitress in a cafe in Montmartre, shy, dreamy and marked by the bizarre events she lived through as a child. On the day of Princess Di's death, her true calling seems to reveal itself: she must do good for other people. And there are enough people to help: her frail neighbour Dufayel, her lovesick concierge Madeleine, the nasty grocer Collignon and his lovely assistant Lucien, hypochondriac Georgette, waitress Gina and her jealous ex-boyfriend Joseph. As both guardian and avenging angel, she manipulates the people that inhabit this microcosm of Montmartre, giving them new chances, changing and enriching (and meddling with) their lives. But while doing her charitable rounds, Amélie crosses paths with Nino Quicampoix (Mathieu Kassovitz), who is obsessed with collecting the discards of photo booths. The sight of him makes her melt, and she falls instantly in love. However, Amélie cannot bring herself to ask him out directly and concocts an intricate plan to meet him. Will she finally let herself get close to someone?

Amélie is an extremely heartwarming film, with wonderful imagery and an intriguing mystery to solve as a bonus. Jeunet's stylings are very imaginative - you will be exposed to a sensational barrage of visuals - but although Jeunet fires off many of these shots, the film isn't overloaded with effects. The best bits - giving the gift of sight, the identity of the bald-headed man - really do make your heart leap with joy. The completely rose-tinted view of Montmartre, Yann Tiersen's enthralling music and Bruno Delbonnel's charming cinematography will make you yearn for Paris. Audrey Tautou’s performance is absolutely enchanting and, deep down, who wouldn't want to meet their own Amélie?

Fabuleux!

Review by Sarah Stark
Written for EUFS Programme Autumn 2002