Bursting onto our screens in a shimmer of light and joy way back in 2001, Le Fableux Destin d’Amelie Poulain had immediate – and lasting – success, winning a slew of awards and legions of fans. Whether you’re discovering this delightful film for the first time, or re-watching it for the twentieth, Amelie is a sweet, whimsical and touching story that it won’t fail to enchant you.
Language: French
Running Time: 122 minutes
Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Starring: Audrey Tatou, Mathieu Kassovitz
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Rating: 5 stars
The Film
Amelie is a solitary young woman, deprived of affection and friendship throughout her childhood and she lives as an outsider, observing life. When she discovers a box hidden in the wall of her apartment, she begins an odyssey of kind deeds, never looking for recognition or thanks. She helps her reclusive and emotionally closed father to travel by sending his garden gnome off on an adventure, and brings experiences of the outside world to a painter with bones of glass, confined to his flat. But it is not until the painter reveals some truths to Amelie that she finally starts to truly live, and to find happiness for herself.
The Review:
It is no surprise that this film has achieved cult status. With a strong, distinctive look and wide, doe eyes, Amelie captures hearts with her simple desire to help others and make them happy. The storytelling is akin to her fairytale, heightened by the use of muted colours and melodic, beguiling music. Yet Amelie never slips into the saccharine, always treading the fine line between pathos and light-heartedness, fantasy and realism. While the somewhat quirky nature of it may not to be to everyone’s taste at the start, it would take a hard heart indeed not to be won over by Amelie.
Wanderlust Rating: 5 stars
Shot on location in Montmartre, the dreamy romanticism of Amelie and the generous shots of Paris will have you jumping on the next plane.
Go:
Take your own Amelie Tour of Paris.
Get the film:
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