Amélie [Blu-ray]

"Amelie", a French film from director Jean-Pierre Jeunet ("Delicatessen", "City of Lost Children") is a fairy tale confection that is sure to please most everyone who has the opportunity to watch it.Amelie (Audrey Tautou), a young waitress living in Montmarte, happens to find a small box of toys behind a loose tile in her bathroom. She decides to anonymously reunite the toys with their owner, now a man in his late 40s. After she tracks him down, she leaves the box in a phone booth that he passes every day. As he passes, she calls the booth causing him to stop and find the box. Amelie stops at a local bar and the man also stops there, talking about the curious events of the day. He proclaims that he will call his daughter and grandson, because he hasn't talked to his daughter in many years. Gratified, Amelie begins to do small anonymous favors for the people in her life. Her path crosses with Nino (Mathieu Kassovitz), a strange young man who collects discarded photo booth pictures. She is attracted to him, but completely unable to introduce herself.I think it would be difficult for anyone to dislike "Amelie". The story is so uplifting, the lead actress is so enormously appealing and likable, the supporting cast is so excellent, the production qualities are completely top notch.Jeunet has crafted a vision of Montmarte and Paris that is idyllic, picture book perfect, causing many intellectuals in France to denounce the film. In my opinion, these people are trying to find fault with the film because it is so good. They are jealous. This is a lovable confection for all ages. I'll address the all ages thing later.The film is washed in a sepia tint giving each frame the appearance of an old photograph. Set in 1997, the settings look like they were pulled from the 40s. With the exception of a modern video camera, pretty much the entire film is devoid of modern technology. None of the characters drive cars and only one of them uses a small motor bike to get around. This lack of technology only serves to make the film appear even more like a fairy tale.Amelie and her friends inhabit a Paris that is also extremely clean. No graffiti and little dirt appear in any frame as she travels to and fro. This helps attain and retain the idealized vision of life that in turn helps the viewer live inside this fairy tale.Amelie, as played by Audrey Tautou, is so kind, friendly and infectious that it is difficult not to like her. Tautou could pass as Audrey Hepburn's love child, the resemblance is so striking. She is a young woman that realizes she has a gift for helping people anonymously. With this realization, it becomes her reason for life. Amelie is a strange girl, quiet but pretty, unconfident with strangers but also looking for a relationship. She grew up in a strange family environment, which helps explain some of her behavior. This family history is amusingly, and quickly, presented by Jeunet at the beginning of the film. Audrey Tautou is very charming in this role and this film. I inadvertently watched a DVD of "French Beauty Institute" the same night. Tautou has a supporting role in the film, but barely makes an impact. Hopefully, she will be able to find the type of roles that will ensure a long and healthy career.The overall message of "Amelie" is so uplifting that it raised my spirits all day. Much like the disastrous American film "Pay It Forward", the film has a message that if we help strangers, our world will be a better place. The difference in the story between the two films is that "Amelie" does not rely on preachy storytelling or character martyrdom to get the message across. Amelie does her thing and the consequences happen, causing us to laugh and learn from her example.Another wonderful thing about the film is that not all of the consequences of her good deeds last for very long. Despite the fairy tale aspect of the film, this helps it seem more real and gives the message more resonance.I would think that "Amelie" would be a perfect film to take the entire family to, but there are a few things to be aware of. The film is subtitled, which will prevent the youngest kids from understanding it. Also, there are a few very brief images of nudity in a sexual situation. Two scenes are set in a sex shop and the characters price sex toys before displaying them, but they don't discuss them at all or put them into the context of what they are supposed to do. These few things will probably keep parents from taking children, but, in my view, that is a mistake. If they can read subtitles, they should see "Amelie". The film is great for everyone and should eventually be experienced by everyone. Wouldn't it be better for your child to see a film about a girl who does good deeds than some violent action film at every mutliplex?"Amelie" apparently caused quite a sensation in France. It is now the top grossing film in that country and has inspired people to do little good deeds for strangers. I have even heard that a tour company is offering a tour of the sights used in the film.Hopefully, "Amelie" will catch on here in the U.S. as well.

Amelie is a great movie. Charming, funny and heart-warming. Highly recommend for lovers of foreign films, comedies, and rom-coms.

I love Jean-Pierre Jeunet's film, AMÉLIE. I already owned the  Amélie  2-DVD set and have been in love with the movie since my friends took me to see it at a French movie theater back in the early part of 2002 (BTW it is in French with English or Spanish subtitles).If you haven't seen it, AMÉLIE is a wonderful story about two lonely people who've been dreaming about one another since they were children. Both Amélie (Audrey Tautou) and Nino (Mathieu Kassovitz) wished they had another person in their life, being such lonely children, and one day as adults, their paths cross. In the meantime, both acquire quirks and Amélie, after finding a tin box filled with a boy's childhood treasures, decides that she's going to reunite the owner (now a 40+ man) with the lost keepsake. After proving a successful and joyous reunion, she vows to become a crusader for good helping all the other lonely people around her.However, no matter how many good deeds she accomplishes, Amélie cannot escape the cold loneliness that she feels inside and around her, until she's finally forced to help herself and take that flying leap of faith and letting someone else in.Perhaps that's why I enjoy this movie so much. It isn't just a boy-meets-girl type of film; it explores the angst that comes along with meeting someone that you feel a connection with and that period in-between, especially if you've been alone for a long time, and you just don't know how to take the next step.Another great thing about this film is the use of special effects. This has to be the first movie that I've seen that uses special effects and it isn't in the science fiction/fantasy genre. The use of the effects really punctuate the story and gives it a whimsical feel. Although it does paint a romanticized view of life and of Paris, it's used to great effect throughout and I love the visual style of it.The BLU-RAY edition of AMÉLIE is gorgeous! The saturated colors really pop and the clarity makes the movie a feast for the eyes.I am however a little disappointed that there wasn't any new special features added to this BLU-RAY edition.In fact, several extras on the DVD are gone from here: the TV Spots, the French language trailer, and the cast and crew filmography. Not a big deal though since all the important specials were ported over and everything is on one disc.****** SPECIAL FEATURES ******"Audio Commentary By Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet" - in English"Look Of Amélie" - 12:48-minutes EnglishDirector Jeunet and cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel discuss the use of special effects and visual style used in the movie."Fantasies Of Audrey Tautou" - 2:07-minutesBloopers."Screen Tests" - Play All or One At A Time - French w/English subtitlesAudrey Tautou - 01:58 - interesting to note that Tautou was not Jeunet's first choice for AmélieUrbain Cancelier - :38 - the grocer, "Monsieur Colignon"Yolande Moreau - 03:52 - Amélie's downstairs neighbor, "Madeleine""Q & A With Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet" (English) - 24:37-minutesFilmed at a screening at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, CA, and audience get to ask questions at the end."Q & A With Director And Cast" (French W/English subs) - 05:55Another screening Q & A with the director, Tautou, Kassovitz, and Jamel Debbouze (Lucien)."Storyboard Comparison" - :58short clip of the fun house scene with the storyboards."An Intimate Chat With Jean-Pierre Jeunet" - (French W/English subs) - 20:48-minutesCharming and funny, Jeunet talks about the film, the idea etc. and how it came to be, and the controversy surrounding the Cannes Film Festival."Home Movies: Inside The Making Of Amélie" - 12:46Interesting behind-the-scenes footage of Tautou getting her hair cut and styled into the famous bob; showing the extras that took the pictures in the photo-booth for Nino's photo book; test shots for camera angles; Serge Merlin "Dufayel aka the Glass Man" rehearsing lines; Debbouze (Lucien) preparing to shoot his scene etc.Trailers - EnglishScrapbook - includes behind-the-scenes, French Poster concepts, Storyboards, and the Garden Gnome's Travels (which I swear Travelocity stole the idea for their roaming Gnome ads).Anyway, if you already own the 2-DVD set of AMÉLIE and don't really need the 1080p high definition makeover, you could probably skip this Blu-Ray edition. But if you'd like to see it in hi-def and own a high definition TV, plus you love the movie, I highly recommend AMÉLIE on BR.

One of the great comedies of all time, and a strange but wonderfully constructed sceenplay!

Must see for everyone.

Growing up without any friends, Amelie (Tautou) finds an old box in her apartment and sets out to find the owner which sets her on her way to helping others.Nominated for 5 Oscars, this French phenomenon has taken the world by storm with its bright colourful conceptual appeal and has been classed as one of the best feel good movies ever created.Looking at IMDB'S top 250, it is the highest ranking feel good movie on there, with perhaps the odd exception of it's a wonderful life and this definitely deserves its place.France has delivered some rare but noticeable films over the last ten years. Just a few years ago Tell No One was adapted from American Harlan Coben's best selling thriller to dominate fans across the world. A unique suspenseful masterpiece that put American's and Britain's to shame with stunning cinematography and unique approach to the action genre, and Amelie does the same for the comedy genre.Over the last few years comedy has generated into over exaggerated spoofs with no heart, which Disaster Movie and the Scary Movie franchise can justify. So this 2001 release is a smash in the park, a break from the norm that is evidentially timeless.The story resolves around the friendless Amelie, a smart girl wishing for a bit more. With ideologies of friendship, love and isolation this fulfils the real life aspect but generates some smart comedy thanks to its wondrous central protagonist.From the cheeky nods towards the camera, to the smart flowing sneakiness to give the grocer his just desserts, Amelie depicts real life with a nod towards fantasy with some bizarre instalments. When the lamp comes to life, when the photo starts talking and when the glasses start rocking in the restaurant anyone who likes smiling will do so for the remainder of the film. The cheeky nature of the central character with the conceptual depiction of real life motives questions the fabrications of day to day activities. Such as love and happiness, a particularly wonderful sentiment the writers and directors are keen to preach. This is where Audrey started her career and it is a fine noticeable performance.As the film starts we see Amelie as a young girl growing up with the narrator explaining her loneliness and vulnerability, with a little slice of bizarre imagination. Initially this is weird but this is some of the finest character development that I have ever taken note of.Everything fits together for the character as she seeks her purpose in life when older. Its no coincidence there was an Oscar nod for Best Writing.When everything comes together it makes for a wonderful watch and as well as the writing and central acting, there is some fine visual set ups. The trick in the park with the blue arrows is sublime, whilst the whole business in the train station come the end is well shot. Not to mention a diverse and feel good bike ride will make you smile.9/10

I absolutely adore this film. Everything about it. Jean-Pierre Jeunet is one of my two favourite directors who creates something magical. The attention to detail in the lovely story, the sets, the characters is superb. From the outset this film is uplifting, funny, observant, creative. There is so much going on within it that it is worthy of watching more than once! And when you've finished, have a look at Jeunet's other films too!

If you remember French classics of the 1960's - Claude Lelouch movies like 'un Homme et une Femme', and thought they didn't make them like that any more, you may have missed this one. Or maybe you've heard of all of this stuff like it was ancient history and are looking for something to try, try this.If only for tips on how to make love in the (unisex) toilet of a Montmartre bar with only a frosted glass door between you and....Good feelgood movie. Nice shots, nice settings with that little bit extra. The second disc is good, too, if you like Paris and the locations.

I enjoyed every minute of this film the first time I watched it which is unusual - even the best films often have slow or predictable patches where your mind wanders. This film kept my attention as there was always something different or odd to look at or I was absorbed by the story as it developed. I've enjoyed watching it many times since, picking up on details missed in earlier viewings. I find it quirky, interesting, thought-provoking, charming, entertaining, funny and heart-warming which makes it perfect for a wet Sunday afternoon, curled up on the settee trying to forget that tomorrow is Monday......! Definitely one for the well-rounded DVD collection.

What can i say! This has to be one of my all time favourie films. Audrey Tautou is just perfect in Amelie, she is beautiful, talented and i can sympathise with her character in this film so much. Ever since seeing this film Audrey Tautou has without doubt become one of my all time favourite actresses, so much so that i have taken to buying most of her movies.Amelie is a very happy story with so many things im sure most of us can relate to. Its funny, quirky and has that typical French charm to it which has fuelled my enthusiasm for foreign cinema.You must by this film, i promise you wont regret it!