Amelie is like a cool breeze. It is refreshingly original, charming and funny at the same time.
Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet's 2001 film "Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain" is a wonderful piece of cinema. It is a perfect feel-good film, leaves you with a smile at the end credits. The film portrays a whimsical yet fairly realistic facet of Paris - the people, the landscape, the atmosphere - its all quintessentially français.
The film is about a young naive girl, Amelie Poulain, who helps all the people around her and finds love along the way.
The film is a writing marvel. Some of the instances in the film are strikingly original and innovative at the same time. Let it be the scene where Amelie guides Nino with various signs along the road, or the scene in which Amelie reproduces the letter of her neighbour with cutting/pasting and photocopying. Or be it be the small plot regarding garden gnome travelling across the world - the film has excellent screenplay. Director Jean and
Guillaume Laurant should be congratulated for such a high grade of witty writing.
Audrey Tautou is the main attraction here - her Amelie is cute and lovable - yet wicked, but in a sweet way. Audrey has a charming smile, her innocent face may remind you of some 8-year old school-girl. She has played Amelie with such dynamism that you know that she is Amelie and no one else would have played that role instead of her.
Shot extensively with yellow-golden hues by Bruno Delbonnel, the film showcases some beautifully composed shots ever put on screen. Music by Yann Tiersen is lovely - showcasing use of accordion at its best.
The film is not without flaws, specially in the middle, the film somewhat drags. But overall, if you miss Amelie, you will probably miss 2 hours of joy and happiness.
3.5/5
