Movie Club Edition Eight: Amélie - SPOILERS

RanzB

RanzB

Honorary Master
Joined
Jul 4, 2007
Messages
31,343
Reaction score
16,860
Location
Durban
****The discussion starts Monday 27th April 2015****

Amélie is a 2001 romantic comedy film directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Written by Jeunet with Guillaume Laurant, the film is a whimsical depiction of contemporary Parisian life, set in Montmartre. It tells the story of a shy waitress, played by Audrey Tautou, who decides to change the lives of those around her for the better, while struggling with her own isolation.
Click to expand...

220px-Amelie_poster.jpg


**A review is encouraged, and a star review out of 5 is preferred over a /10 score.

0 - Couldn't finish it was so bad
1- Horrible
2 - Very Bad
2.5 -OK <- just to be in the middle
3 - Good/Very Good
4- Excellent
5 - Perfect

Previous Discussion Threads:
1. Vertigo
2. Chinatown
3. Blue Velvet
4. Angel Heart
5. Porco Rosso
6. Fargo
7. The Shining
 
I've seen this film many times, and I loved it every time. There is perhaps a twee element that cerebus alluded to, and I can understand how that could bother some folk, but to me it fits perfectly with the overall atmosphere, and also helps to contrast the seeming disconnected feeling Amélie herself battles with.

One of the main things that stood out was the class of acting, whimsy and cute, but also vulnerable and human. Tautou was born to play Amélie, with the production effectively built around her portrayal. But the supporting cast also help give the characters real presence and an important, if subtle, feeling of realism.

The cinematography lends a magical air to Montmartre, presenting an idyllic and nostalgic picture of life in Paris. I felt the same theme in Midnight in Paris, too. Perhaps a bit sappy for some, but I find myself very drawn to it.

Special nod also to Yann Tiersen's score, which is absolutely sublime, and underscores the emotion, vividness and energy of the film extremely well.

5/5, would watch again.
 
Not quite sure how I missed seeing this until now, but this is exactly why I am enjoying this club, getting introduced to movies that have slipped by.

Great film that am sure will stand up to repeat viewing. To reiterate what Orbital said, not only was Tatou born to play Amélie but it's hard to imagine anyone else imbuing her with such warmth and humanity.. The supporting cast of characters, the little offshoots, the little bits of mischief (a young Amélie sabotaging the neighbors football coverage, the fish trying to commit suicide...). It's a testament that the film can hold your attention for almost 2 hours and yet never seems to drag on.

A "feel good" movie for sure but with far more subtlety than most films can manage.

4.5/5 for me.
 
4/5 I enjoy these types of quirky movies. Set to such a well score and some really good camera work/editing.
 
I'll watch this tonight. I think I've seen it 3 times so far and looking forwards to another viewing.
 
OrbitalDawn said:
I've seen this film many times, and I loved it every time. There is perhaps a twee element that cerebus alluded to, and I can understand how that could bother some folk, but to me it fits perfectly with the overall atmosphere, and also helps to contrast the seeming disconnected feeling Amélie herself battles with.

One of the main things that stood out was the class of acting, whimsy and cute, but also vulnerable and human. Tautou was born to play Amélie, with the production effectively built around her portrayal. But the supporting cast also help give the characters real presence and an important, if subtle, feeling of realism.

The cinematography lends a magical air to Montmartre, presenting an idyllic and nostalgic picture of life in Paris. I felt the same theme in Midnight in Paris, too. Perhaps a bit sappy for some, but I find myself very drawn to it.

Special nod also to Yann Tiersen's score, which is absolutely sublime, and underscores the emotion, vividness and energy of the film extremely well.

5/5, would watch again.
Click to expand...

Pretty much my evaluation of the movie, with a little less enthusiasm. Good call on Midnight in Paris, I can definitely see the similar feel.

This is the second time I've watched it, and I loved it more the first.

I think it's interesting that this movie tends to be unique in that people praise so many elements of the movie while so few have given it a thorough analysis the way they would other movies.

4/5.
 
Randhir said:
Pretty much my evaluation of the movie, with a little less enthusiasm. Good call on Midnight in Paris, I can definitely see the similar feel.

This is the second time I've watched it, and I loved it more the first.
Click to expand...

Yes, Midnight in Paris definitely comes to mind here. Loved it & I hate WA.

I have no idea how many times I've seen this movie but I love it, probably got something to do with it's innocence.


Randhir said:
I think it's interesting that this movie tends to be unique in that people praise so many elements of the movie while so few have given it a thorough analysis the way they would other movies.
Click to expand...

I don't actually think it's one of those movies where you can overanalyse it, it's just too simple & pure for indepth analysis, it's one of those feelgood movies you watch and afterwards you go 'that was fun'.

No matter how many times I watch this movie it still feels 'fresh' every time. Audrey Tautou is Amélie Poulain & the rest of the cast is also great, they all seem like normal people you might meet in a bar or a coffe shop. You don't get the impression that anything was 'overdone' in the movie.

4.5/5
 
Last edited:
Cray said:
Not quite sure how I missed seeing this until now, but this is exactly why I am enjoying this club, getting introduced to movies that have slipped by.
Click to expand...

You've never seen it before?
 
ponder said:
You've never seen it before?
Click to expand...

Nope, first time. :whistle: Was in the UK when it was released too so it got good exposure. I remember seeing the reviews at the time just never got around to seeing it.
 
I haven't watched the whole movie yet. Just under an hour to go.

So far it's not bad. But definitely not a 4 or 5 out of 5 like most of you mentioned... but I'll reserve more comment until I've watched the whole thing
 
Watched about 50 minutes of it last night, will finish it tonight. So far, it's a mixed bag for me after repeated viewings.

On one hand it has moments of brilliant invention and detail - particularly when the narrative flow is in control and doesn't focus on the actual storyline too much, or when the Rube Goldberg-style setups reach their payoff moment - such as the moments in the grocer's house. Audrey Tautou is just perfectly cast and the humour is charming and effective.

On the other hand, there are times when the plot gets bogged down in exposition, and the whimsy becomes shallow and unsatisfying, but more than that I felt manipulated by it. When a movie relies so heavily on extended setpieces and an idealized version of reality (Paris is NOTHING like this movie - it makes Four Weddings and a Funeral's London seem Dickensian), it has to have some substance to back it up or eventually the machinations start to irritate.

I'm leaning towards 3.5/5.
 
I love this movie and have watched it many times.

5/5

I think I like it so much because of the time of my life when I saw it. It was just before I met my wife.

A lot of the things in the movie resonated with what I was going through and just took me out of the dark place I was in.
The main thing though is the edit.... and the narrative.
You really get to feel what its like to live in her mind. She is bat **** crazy but when you experience the world as she does then you understand that it is beautiful.
This is how a movie should be made.

*drops mike
 
3/5

Movie was fun, light, quirky. Enjoyed it, but wouldn't want to see it again. And there are other movies I would recommend over this one. The music was very good. I really liked the Amelie character, but would want to see the talk dark haired one in the adult shop without clothes on. When I really think about it, this movie actually deserves a little more than a 3, so I'll update to a 3.5

3.5/5
 
faniedry said:
3/5

Movie was fun, light, quirky. Enjoyed it, but wouldn't want to see it again. And there are other movies I would recommend over this one. The music was very good. I really liked the Amelie character, but would want to see the talk dark haired one in the adult shop without clothes on. When I really think about it, this movie actually deserves a little more than a 3, so I'll update to a 3.5

3.5/5
Click to expand...

How were the subtitles?
 
Randhir said:
How were the subtitles?
Click to expand...

It took some getting used to. A lot of the time I felt like I was missing out at looking at the very pretty Amelie, because I had to read the stupid words. A couple of times I had to rewind a bit, because I forgot to read, and only realised after a couple of seconds that I had no idea what they were on about.
 
faniedry said:
It took some getting used to. A lot of the time I felt like I was missing out at looking at the very pretty Amelie, because I had to read the stupid words. A couple of times I had to rewind a bit, because I forgot to read, and only realised after a couple of seconds that I had no idea what they were on about.
Click to expand...

Lol....now that was funny.

Happy Belated Birthday wishes by the way....Sunday wasn't it?

Loved the movie. Quirky, funny, weird, off-beat, poignant...covers all the bases. Listening to a hot woman speaking French automatically adds 1 point to any movie's score.

4/5
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X