Today’s quick review: Amelie. Amelie Poulain (Audrey Tautou) is an imaginative young waitress with a taste for the little things in life. Her ordinary life turns around when a chance discovery lets her bring joy to a stranger. Inspired by the experience, Amelie takes to helping the people around her achieve their dreams. But her own happiness seems out of reach until she stumbles upon Nino Quincompoix (Mathieu Kassovitz), a kindred spirit.
Amelie is a French comedy and romance with a touch of magical realism. Amelie embraces the magic in everyday life, as seen through the eyes of its main character. Artistic direction, observant writing, charming comedy, a light tone, and an endearing performance from Audrey Tautou all make Amelie a pleasant, stimulating, and thoroughly enjoyable watch. Not every viewer will like its particular flavor, but the film is an easy one to like.
Amelie’s chief draw is its title character. Amelie Poulain is an introverted woman with a knack for helping others. Her optimism and curiosity are infections, and Audrey Tautou’s performance is the glue that holds the movie together. She’s backed by excellent all-around craftsmanship, including literary-style narration that doesn’t overstay its welcome, a sweet cat-and-mouse romance with the shy Nino, and scenes that move at a rapid clip.
Amelie won’t appeal to everyone. It’s short on plot, the conflict is minimal, and the film relies on its main character to carry it. But Amelie’s joy and artistry make it an appealing pick for those with a critical eye and those just looking for something sweet. Fans of light romance should give it a shot. For a sci-fi film with a similar lead, try Paprika. For a similarly life-affirming Italian drama, try Cinema Paradiso; for a comedy, try Macaroni.
8.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for excellent craftsmanship and a delightful tone.