Amélie (2001)

Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Writer: Scenario: Guillaume Laurant, Jean-Pierre Jeunet Dialogue: Guillaume Laurant
Cast: Audrey Tautou, Mathieu Kassovitz, Rufus, Lorella Cravotta, Serge Merlin, Jamel Debbouze, Clotilde Mollet, Claire Maurier, Isabelle Nanty, Domenique Pinon, Artus de Penguern, Yolande Moreau, Urbain Cancellier
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance

La fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain tells the story of our peculiar everyday heroine Amélie Poulain (Tautou). Amélie didn't go to school thanks to her MD father misdiagnosing her with a heart condition at early age. As a result her mother teaches her at home and Amélie grows up a lonely child, but with a huge imagination. While her mother die when she's still young, Amélie's imaginative ways stays with her as her comforting guidance through life.

At the night Lady Di's death is reported in the news, Amélie is now a young woman making a discovery which will change her life forever. While this movie starts out with a storytelling many might find annoying or unimaginative, it soon gets under your skin and you'll start enjoying it thanks to the feel and atmosphere it adds. I might even go as far as saying it would be very difficult to come close to the same quality doing it any other way.

While there's no shortage of characters in this movie, Audrey Tautou's absolutely brilliant performance as Amélie stands out. She's no doubt the perfect cast, and elevates the experience throughout the movie. Kassovitz is also a joy to experience as the second name on the poster, but there's no shortage of good acting in this fine French movie currently ranked 47th at IMDB. Amélie of Monmartre's story is surely one not to be missed.