Amelie - A User's Manual To Life


                                We, human beings always reassess the credentials for our continued existence in this world. The news in the TV and the history, shows mankind's darkest hours, hatred, and violence, which lends credence to those who argue that the species has outlived its usefulness. We tend to follow trends and are often irritated by any change in patterns other than those which suit over convictions.  

                             The magic is gone, beaten out of us by the one-two punch of adulthood and responsibility, and there are times when we’d trade everything we hold dear for a single reason to believe. When it becomes too much to bear this madness, there is movie for you to help named "Amelie." Jean-Pierre Jeunet's rich 2001 film was a massive art-cinema hit in its day, and a modern fairy-tale. Eleven years on, Amelie's charms are still a saccharrine, but what comes across most powerfully is Jeunet's athletic, playful directing style, and effects.

Plot
    Amelie is about Amelie Poulain (Audrey Tatou), a young woman who has spent most of her life existing in the background. As a child, she was discouraged from having friends by her neurotic mother and emotionally distant father. As an adult, she works as a waitress in a café and spends her nights alone in her small apartment. She has no boyfriend, no confidantes, and no real sense of purpose in life. But all that is about to change.

                 Amélie, discovers a box hidden away in her apartment containing a boy's treasured possessions. She decides to return these to the owner. With a little help from Dufayel, an elderly painter, she tracks the now middle-aged man down and savors the tearful moment of his reunion with the past. Rejuvenated by this act of kindness, Amélie vows to do more good works. In the process, she encounters Nino (Mathieu Kassovitz), who may be her soulmate - if she can ever find the courage to talk to him face-to-face and admit her feelings for him. And, she begins formulating an elaborate, enchanting ploy to compel the equally offbeat guy to seek her out. 


 Analysis
      Mr. Jeunet has made his own Paris through sets and computer-generated art for ''Amélie.'' Jeunet uses the city as a character than a mere backdrop. The screenplay he co-wrote with Guillaume Laurant has sparkle, fizz, and incredible ingenuity. From the magical opening to the enchanting closing scenes, Amélie is something special — a way to lift your spirits! Amelie uses odd camera angles, quick edits, and other "tricks" to keep the movie visually dynamic. 

               Amelie features an exceptional cast, with a laudable effort from Audrey Tatou. Her expressive eyes and impish smile are endearing, adding credibility to her status as a mischievous angel of the dispossessed. Special mention should go to Rufus as Amélie’s widowed and housebound father and Mathieu Kassovitz  with a predilection for collecting discarded passport photos. 


                  During one of her good deeds , Amelie walks a blind man across a busy street. She decides to make his day by briskly navigating him down the whole block, describing with rapid relish everything she can along the way -- what people are wearing, prices of fruit at a market, a baby watching a dog watching chicken in a shop window. It is just this flood of flavorful little details that drives the story and makes this movie such an exquisite joy. 

                  It’s an emotional roller-coaster ride, juxtaposing thought-provoking meditations on the simple pleasures of everyday existence.  There’s no assurances of a better tomorrow, but it subscribes to the notion that there is always a reason to go on living. “Times are hard for dreamers,” one character in the movie uttered. But Jeunet uncovered the blissfully supernatural feeling that beautiful discoveries lie around the corner for everyone, every day.

              Watch 'Amelie' to renew your connection with life's simple pleasures

Trailer

             
Amelie lost the 'Best Foreign Film Oscar' along with 'Lagaan' to the war drama, 'No Man's Land.'

19 comments:

vinay said...

Thanks for this one. Started to download. Would be watching it by this afternoon. :)

Akshay Kumar G said...

One of my favorite movies ever. I have probably seen this movie over a 50 times since 2004. Every time I watch this movie I feel refreshed, world around me seems beautiful again. Amelie's character is very similar to who I am in real life, shy and introverted. A beautiful cinematic experience. :)

Arun Kumar said...

@Vinay, Thank you, and do watch it soon.

@Akshay Kumar, Thanks for your comment, and the film is indeed a aesthetic experience.

Deepak Karthik said...

We have some coincidence :D
just downloaded this film few days back :D
yet to watch...
so i dint read the review :D
will watch and read again

anatreek said...

Finally, one movie that I've watched :)

Shanky said...

The best scenes in the movie for me are when Amelie thinks about random things like how many people are having an orgasm right now? How much erosion happens in steps bcoz we walk over them? etc.

I hope you have watched micmacs (by the same director), another comic gem.

Arun Kumar said...

@Deepak, It's a right decision to watch the movie and read this review.

Arun Kumar said...

@Ana_treek, really glad to post a review on a movie you watched.

@Shanky, Thanks for your comment, and i have watched micmacs and liked it very much.

aativas said...

Watched the movie once when I had been guest to one friend .. did not understand the movie then (and I watched it half the way through). Now your post gives me a better idea and I would certainly watch this movie again.

Nimsrules said...

I too enjoyed this movie. Ecstatic cinematography and editing.

Arun Kumar said...

@aativas, Thank you, and do watch the movie again.

@Nimsrules, Thanks for your comment.

Veera said...

Arun .. Its one the movie that we can cherish for our life time .. Sooo influential, even it changes our perception towards life ..

To be frank your review adds more clarity to the movie .. :) ( I watched it without subtitle )

Vetirmagal said...

Hi Arun,
Wonderful review. I have heard of this movie, but did not watch it yet:-).
Will do so now.

//During one of her good deeds , Amelie walks a blind man across a busy street. She decides to make his day by briskly navigating him down the whole block, describing with rapid relish everything she can along the way -- what people are wearing, prices of fruit at a market, a baby watching a dog watching chicken in a shop window. It is just this flood of flavorful little details that drives the story and makes this movie such an exquisite joy. //
Isn't this scene copied by Murugadas in Gajhani, when Asin does similar act? :-)

Arun Kumar said...

@Vetrimagal, Thanks for your comment, and u are right, that scene copied from 'Amelie' to 'Ghajini.' But the creators will say it's a inspiration.

Mak said...

It is indeed a brilliant movie. Loved watching it.
Excellent review by you Arun.

Arun Kumar said...

@Mak, Thanks for your comment.

Neeraj Kumar said...

It is amazing how you are able to see and show different aspects of life through cinema.It is always a treat ti visit this blog site.

Arun Kumar said...

@Neeraj, Thanks for your comment. Most of the movies has a meaning, and a viewer must look through it.

Deepa Gopal said...

This is one of my all time favs...I have seen it very many times...and every time I feel I am seeing something new...it's such a refreshing movie!!!
Just Love the character of Amelie...:)))))