Amelie
Synopsis: A painfully shy waitress working at a tiny Paris cafe, Amelie makes a surprising discovery and see her life drastically changed for the better! From then on, Amelie dedicates herself to helping other find happiness…in the most delightfully unexpected ways! But will she have the courage to do for herself what she has done for others!
Rating: R
Run Time: 122 minutes
Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Dvd Extra’s: The Look of Amelie, Fantasies of Audrey Tautou, Q&A with Director and Cast, Auditions, Storyboard Comparison, An Intimate Chat with Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet, The Making of, TV Spots, Theatrical Trailer, Cast and Crew Filmographies, Scrapbook.
Nudity Factor: There are several scenes with breast, one right away showing a time stop of a naked pregnant woman over 9 months leading up to the birth of a child, later in a series of sex scenes you see a topless woman, finally you see a topless dancer.
Of Note: Whenever this film was shot on location, Jean-Pierre Jeunet and the crew would clean the area of debris, grime, trash and graffiti, so that the real settings would match the fantastic nature of the film. This was an especially difficult task when it came time to shoot at the huge train station.
Recommendations: A Beautiful Mind
This award-winning movie has graced numerous must-watch lists, so naturally, I had to see what all the fuss was about. The story revolves around Amelie, a shy woman with a tumultuous past. Her father’s only physical contact was as her doctor, and her mother was a perpetual ball of stress. Despite her awkward social skills, Amelie dedicates herself to improving the lives of those around her through small acts of kindness. From neighbors to random acquaintances to even her coworkers, everyone benefits from her do-goodery. However, her selflessness leaves little room for her own desires.
The film kicks off with a bang, but somewhere around the midpoint, it starts to meander. It feels like they could have wrapped things up 20 minutes sooner without losing any impact. There are filler sections that could have been trimmed, and the chase scene drags on longer than necessary.
Nevertheless, it’s still a solid film. Audrey Tautou shines as the lead, and I’m definitely going to check out more of her work. Overall, if you’re in the mood for a movie that’s more about the journey than the destination, this one’s worth a watch.