Earlier this year, Yahoo movies came out with a list of The 100 Movies To See Before You Die-The Modern Classics 1990-2009 (which I think is a great idea, and I might do one myself real soon ;-) There are dozens of lists like these, and each are pretty subjective; no one will agree with every selection that is made. However, what I do enjoy in respect to these types of lists, is they give you ideas about new movies to watch and introduce films that you might not have known about. Among the films highlighted by this particular list was a 2001 French film by the name of Amelie, starring French actress Audrey Tautou (later known for her role of Sophie Neveu in the 2006 film, The Da Vinci Code).
Amelie is a romantic comedy about an eccentric young woman who's mediocre relationships of the past has caused her to shun romantic love. Instead, she finds pleasure in the simpler things in life, including the joy found in helping others through the use of secret elaborate schemes. For example, as a way of motivating her father to travel, Amelie secretly steals the garden gnome from his backyard, and has her air-hostess friend mail him anonymous letters with pictures of it posing in front of various landmarks from around the world.
While walking through the train station, Amelie comes across a photo album dropped by a young man by the name of Nino. After a second chance encounter, Amelie becomes smitten with Nino, who is an eccentric person in his own right. His hobbies include collecting discarded photographs of strangers from passport photo booths. Too shy to simply approach him, Amelie creates an intricate plan involving the found photo album to try meet Nino.
Adorably whimsical, this sweet love story creates a dazzling and imaginative depiction of modern Paris. Although in French with English subtitles, the rich story and wonderful acting from Tautou is so stimulating that you can't help but get swept up in this fantasy creation. (***1/2 Stars)
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