Film Review: Amelie

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Running Time: 122 min

Released: 2001

Main Actor: Audrey Tautou

Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Amelie is quirky, mischievous and likeable, although a bit of an isolated soul since childhood. In fact all the characters are portrayed as quirky because of Jeunet's focus on small but unique personal characteristics present in all of us but which are usually passed over as too insignificant for film. A string of quirky shots show us insignificant details of characters that at the same time tell us so much. It's the different perspective that creates the interest as well as the character of Amelie acted with perfect interpretation.

As an adult she is still alone in her imaginative world but is propelled towards life changing events when she stumbles across a catalyst; she hears of Princess Diana's death while watching TV. This motivates her to a life of correcting small injustices as she sees fit. First she takes her own revenge against those who she feels have been unkind. Then her attention becomes focussed on performing well intentioned deeds for deserving causes. Her first mission is to return a small box of a child's forgotten possessions hidden in her bathroom wall for many years.

A series of amusing incidents follows in her attempts to return the hidden treasure. The constantly changing situation keeps the audience occupied. Although the events are not fast action, and the point of view never changes, it seems to work. The relatively slow pace suits the type of film and the limited dialogue means that the audience constantly has to think about the significance of the changing events.

Part of her quest includes playing matchmaker in the love lives of others. But it becomes evident that romance is also a possibility for Amelie with the introduction of Nino. Instead of the normally positive and open character, she now seems reluctant when it comes to the question of her own happiness. She has always been alone and so is confronted by the possibility of change. So here is the crisis where she is forced to choose between leaving her solitary world that she has become so comfortable with or accept an opportunity for love and the associated life changes. Eventually she decides, but the pace drops off before she does and I found myself wishing the film would hurry up and get on with it. However I've seen it twice and would watch it again despite the sag toward the end. It's got the Jeunet magic.