Amélie
★★★ 1/2
Amélie is one of the most striking romantic comedies that you will see. It is a beauty to behold and director Jean-Pierre Jeunet creates stunning visuals that you never forget. I remember being quite taken by this film when it first came out and I don't know if it's because I have disconnected more from its youthful charm or because there have been so many films that have copied Jeunet's style, but after this viewing, I was charmed by Amélie, but not swept away.
The dreamlike imagination of Amélie (Audrey Tautou) is what is most memorable. Whether it's disintegrating into a pool of water or hearing messages from the furniture decorations in her bedroom, Jeunet uses these moments perfectly for the audience to connect to her. I also enjoyed the communal aspect of this tale. We get to know each of these supporting characters in surprising and vivid ways. Jeunet argues that what makes us up as a person are the little quirks and details which in turn develop a society. And every once in a while, you are able to connect to someone who shares these same sensibilities.
I think that my biggest beef with this film is my inability to connect with Amélie's love interest, Nino (Mathieu Kassovitz). Yes, we get to know what he does as a job and his strange habits, but out of all of the characters that inhabit this vivid world, I never quite understand what makes him tick. This can't help but make me think that Amélie deserves someone much better in her life, certainly someone who doesn't work at a sex shop or for the carnival.
I can totally see how this movie is an introvert's dream and maybe that is what was keeping me from totally connecting with it. Amélie's precociousness and Mona Lisa smirk started to grind on me. I just wanted to shake some sense into her at times. But it's hard not to enjoy the cuteness of the cat-and-mouse game between Amélie and Nino, along with the plots and schemes that Amélie secretly puts upon her community. This film wraps up in a nice little bow and undoubtedly leaves a smile on your face. And I'll admit, finding out who the mystery man is, is quite satisfying indeed.
