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Amélie
November 7th 2009 06:04
copyright image held by publisher or creator of work depicted
Amélie
Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain
The Fabulous Destiny of Amélie Poulain
Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain
The Fabulous Destiny of Amélie Poulain
Amélie is a whimsical journey following the life and antics of a young French woman, Amélie, (wonderfully played by Audrey Tautou). This film is another testament to the brilliance of Jean-Pierre Jeunet, the director of the fabulous Delicatessen and the City of Lost Children. Although Jeunet also directed the lesser liked Alien Resurrection, that Hollywood experience allowed him to get Amélie produced back in France.
This film is a departure from Jeunet’s preferred darker subject matter, it is a romantic comedy, which delightfully sweeps and flits through the mind of a very engaging character. The film did have one strong critic, who attacked it for misrepresenting modern Paris, for creating a world that once existed, in Montmartré and surrounds, by omitting all the ethnic characters to be found there today. Jeunet’s defense against his critic was that one of the characters was Moroccan.
I think that criticism is a bit churlish, as this is a film of whimsy, not social import. Yet, even so, it manages to touch on attitudes, fears, hopes and frustrations many of us have experienced in some way or other.
It is a film of immense likeability and many French claim it saved the French film industry, because of its huge international success. Jeunet and Guillaume Laurant’s film script is witty at times, without being overburdened with verbosity, allowing us just enough insight into the characters to want to know more; it never labours on, nor lectures, about their motivations.
There is a narrator, André Dussollier, heard throughout the film, which is appropriate, as Jeneut invites the audience, from the beginning, to join in as the observers of events. The modulation of Dussollier's delivery only adds to the humour and the charm of the film, I never felt it intrusive nor disruptive.
At the beginning of the film, we briefly learn of Amélie’s childhood and the oddly amusing incidents that inevitably create her quirky, young adult personality. A neurotic mother and a detached oddball medical doctor father were her unfortunate role models; isolating her at home, because of a misdiagnosis and then the mother’s darkly amusing accidental death, caused the young Amélie to withdraw somewhat into her own world. Amélie then emotionally experiences life one step removed.
Amélie finds a job at a café, (an actual café in Montmartre, The Two Windmills), habituated by eccentrics on both sides of the counter.
But then, as happenstance would have it, Amélie uncovers a young boy’s treasure trove, (who was a previous tenant from the 1950’s), hidden behind a bathroom tile in her flat. This discovery motivates her to find him and if the return of his pathetic little box of memories pleases him, she vows to continue on with good works. If not, she won’t!
Impish, withdrawn to a degree, keenly observant and greatly empathetic with those less fortunate, Amélie is a complex character whose layers of personality are gradually revealed, making the journey a delightful experience; funny, oddball, endearing and then there is her Arch Angel streak, where she adopts vengeful ways to counter the wrongs being done to a hapless victim.
I loved Amélie the first time I saw it, some years ago, and I loved it all the more this time, which is a rare response for me. It is one of those rare films that I could watch every year without being bored by the experience.
The set design and locations, wardrobe, makeup and set dressing all combine beautifully, to enrich the Parisian experience. It may be a fantasy view of Paris today, but it is one few viewers would not want to be a part of. Jeunet uses the talented cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel, who captures the magic and light of Paris.
The antics of animation are also a playful part of the film, which adds another fascinating and amusing layer, serving the story well.
Amélie was nominated in five categories for the Academy Awards of 2001 (Oscars); Best Foreign Language film, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction and Best Sound. It won many international awards.
I highly recommend Amélie as a delightful bit of escapism with a generous touch of heart warming sentiment.
AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR: ICON FILM DISTRIBUTION
AVAILABLE ON DVD AND BLU RAY NOW.
Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Produced by Jean-Marc Deschamps and Claudie Ossard
Written by Jean-Pierre Jeunet (scenario)
Guillaume Laurant (dialogue)
Narrated by André Dussollier
Starring:
Audrey Tautou
Mathieu Kassovitz
Rufus
Claire Maurier
Isabelle Nanty
Dominique Pinon
Serge Merlin
Jamel Debbouze
Arthus de Pengerne
Maurice Bénichou
Cinematography Bruno Delbonnel
Editing by Jeffery Schneid
Music by Yann Tiersen
Distributed by:
ICON DISTRIBUTION Australia
UGC (France)
Miramax Films (USA)
Release date
December 21, 2001 (Australia)
Running time 122 min.
Country France
Germany
Language French
IMAGE CREDIT: Creator unknown, copyright presumed held by publisher or creator of work depicted. Please contact me for inclusion of copyright owner's credit. Image used for critique of the film production, for ICON Film Distribution.
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Comment by Helen Randell
Rough Cooking
I also highly recommend it.
Comment by Helen Randell
Rough Cooking
not amelia (typo) but I'm sure she's lovely too!
Comment by Mountain Fog
Thanks for commenting, and yes, I too am on old sucker for the romantic comedy. I also loved those 50's and 60's films done in Europe, with Maurice Chevellier etc. My big regret was not seeing Europe, particualrly Paris, in those days!
cheers
fog
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
Food Slate
Comment by Anonymous
Wot, no mention of the splendid soundtrack??
Comment by Matt Shea
20/20 Filmsight
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Even Being a huge Juenet and Caro fan (City of Lost Children being my fave) the sugar sweet intentions of this film scared me away initially. Then a friend who loved it insisted I see with her on the bigscreen.
With arms folded I reluctantly agreed. Slowly the film one me over with its dazzling camera work, delicious charm and unimpeachable performances.
A great film to be sure that was just to well made for this skeptic not to surrender too.
Comment by Mountain Fog
yes, it is one of those wonderful escapist films to savour on a lonely day.
cheers
fog
Comment by Mountain Fog
just giving the sound track a nod via the Academy Award nomination in my article wasn't deserving enough, it made all the difference and the lack of it, according to reports, was what excluded it from selection for screening at Cannes, when it was viewed in semi-finished form.
cheers
fog
Comment by Mountain Fog
if Tautou is not for you, then this film you would loathe I suspect. I just went with the fantasy and escapism, and yes, the sound track was a strong undercurrent, that I mistakenly forgot to elaborate upon.
cheers
fog
Comment by Mountain Fog
tanx, and I can see you in the theatre with arms stiffly folded in front!
I'm glad the magic wended its way through your barricade!
cheers
fog
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Mountain Fog
hehe! Well, it might be more of an acquired taste than I realized, considering your response.
I just went along for the fantasy ride and loved it. But I do have a small penchant for French film I must admit.
cheers
fog
Comment by Mountain Fog
hehe! Well, it might be more of an acquired taste than I realized, considering your response.
I just went along for the fantasy ride and loved it. But I do have a small penchant for French film I must admit.
cheers
fog
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I love French films too so it's not like me to be bothered by one (not often anyway). Maybe I was in a bad mood?!!
It was great to read and think about it again.
Byee