Amelie [DVD] [2001]

This entertaining and strikingly original film has been a considerable box office success and has been a popular purchase on DVD. There is little need for this review to provide detail of content except to provide a short resume of the essential plot.Amelie is a young girl in search of love - not for herself but for others that she meets during her life as a waitress in a small cafe. She herself has been starved of such affection as she has grown up and is motivated to rectify such gaps in the lives of others. This continues to satisfactory conclusions but, unexpectedly for Amelie, it also develops into a satisfactory conclusion for herself.The film was made in 2001 and the source material is of high quality visually, and less importantly perhaps, in terms of audio. There is a considerable amount of voice-over dialogue in the form of Amelie's thoughts otherwise there are no special audio effects. If all of this seems potentially a trifle dull it is the achievement of the film that it proves to be charmingly engrossing instead.Otherwise ......For all of those who are keen supporters of this film and who have bought the previous DVD version of this disc, the only issue of vital importance will be whether the Blu-ray offers an improvement technically sufficient to justify the additional expense.For this reviewer the answer is a clear affirmative. The upgrade offers a clear advance on both image and audio quality with the imaging being a marked improvement. The colours are firmer and there is an increase to the perceived depth of the imaging. The whole film simply becomes more 'real.'The degree of improvement will also inevitably depend on the replay equipment used. The screen, an important factor in visual products, is of moderate dimensions being a 40 inch television screen. However, the television is a high performing 4K unit which delivers a compensating positive effect. The moderate screen size lacks the impact of larger screens but is less critical of film faults.The contributing player is usefully able to separate the audio and visual signals before they leave to the television and pre-amp. That feature enhances both the visual and audio elements of the output. The audio, not so critical in the case, delivers an unusually wide-ranging and revealing performance as one would expect from a musician. Its precision is equally revealing of film tracks.Readers with alternative equipment will have to interpret this review bearing in mind their own equipment and its comparative advantages and disadvantages.The disc offers purchasers with suitable replay equipment a substantial improvement over the previous DVDThis BD is a transfer from a good quality original source and has responded well to the upgrade and is well worth considering

Great item well packaged fast delivery 5***** seller 👍

I have purchased many copies of this film for others since I first came acrosss it myself. The moment you describe what 'Amelie' is all about, the question 'can I borrow it?' is raised. I dont lend music, dvds or books because they are never there when you want them yourself, so the inevitable response it that I will buy them a copy. Hence this being around the sixth so far.'Amelie' has been well reviewed elsewhere so there is no need for me to describe the storyline. What I can say is that you do not need to be a lover of French Cinema, nor a female, nor have pretentions to being an intellectual to absolutely enjoy this film. It is escapism at its finest all tied together with humour, intrigue, and a cast of characters who are easily identifiable in our own lives.This is a film best enjoyed on a wet Sunday afternoon or curled up lazily with a partner in the evening. There is no violence, no trickery or trendy soundtrack, there is no sex, although there plenty of romance. It is just the finest stories, beautifully and believeably acted and intertwined and is guaranteed to leave you feeling uplifted but somewhat disappointed that the film had came to the end.Buy it once and be prepared to either curb your enthusiasm and say nothing about it to your friends and family, or be prepared to buy it time and time again. Watch your own copy every few months or so and find something in 'Amelie' that you had missed before.

Amelie, or 'Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain' as it is called in the French title, is an enchanting film about the passions we have in our lives, and the insecurities we harbour that shackle us from indulging them. Amelie lives in a world where she seems to be an observer. Any dreams she has remain as fantasies in her imagination. As if conducted by fate, she finds a mentor in an elderly neighbour who, due to physical disability, lives life in his padded appartment for fear of breaking his fragile bones. Through a series of bizarre coincidences, elaborate plans and encouragement from her friends, she eventually finds the courage to confront the man she has fallen in love with.Audrey Tautou plays her role as Amelie in such an adorable and off beat manner that you cannot help but feel her every emotion. Supported by a delightful cast of somewhat eccentric characters, the film reveals the hopes and fears of the human condition, in a way which informs us that, as individuals, we are not unique in our own collection of perceived personality flaws. Surreal at times, and amusing throughout, I can only recommend that you watch Amelie and decide for yourself. It has been, and will be, one of my favourite films since its release almost ten years ago. A full and well deserved five stars for this wonderful story.

Very entertaining. Well written and well acted