Have you seen the new French film Amelie Yet? If not pour quoi? Hope I spelled that right. Has been years since French class in High School. Need a refresher course? You must see this foreign film. I find there is a foreign film audience. They are cultured, savy, and unafraid of intellectual discourse and generally adore things that are new and different. Welcome to my world.

This particular film is like a Disneyland ride for adults. The story is a simple one. Amelie is a precocious and wonderful child filled with imaginative notions. She has a father who was a military doctor and a nervous mom who decides Amelie’s fragile condition warrants home schooling. This is carried on until her mother becomes the victim of a suicidal jump from the peak of a church. Nutsy? You bet. This was just the first five minutes into this film. The premise follows young Amelia into young womanhood where she searches in vain for her true love match. She is wonderfully portrayed by a dark haired beauty named Audrey Tatou. It is this wondrous journey that takes us into the lives of many various locations and personalities in the life of this waif. Despite her maturity- her imagination has never advanced and we are taken into an experience of imaginary sounds, sounds and feelings.

What I truly loved


The visual camera work in this film was outrageous. The close tight shots took you into the soul of each actor. If you liked the foreign film Run Lola Run, you will find Amelia just as exciting. This film is an artists dream work. Never choppy, one scene blends smoothly into the next. The film has so much unique and interesting camera work, you feel that you were given an insiders ticket to a new art film.

The Humor

Each and every scene had a moment that was laugh out loud funny. The film is sarcastic, witty and demands attention. Each scene is the revealing of a personal hidden life beyond the exterior of people we meet on the day-to-day life in Paris. The characters portrayed in the film are an exercise in human frailties. They serve as a distraction from the goal of Amelia to someday meet her prince charming or perhaps Zorro himself.


The film is rated R. I would not recommend any children under 17 see the film. There are several nude and sex scenes. Although these moments are fleeting-I still would use my discretion on this one. There was a young child trying to sneak into the theatre to see Black Hawk Down. Let me say this- if it is between shielding a child from violence or sex- I would say let us err on the sexual side. Just my opinion. I think extreme violence will do far more damage than seeing two people making love.

The film is an experience that any serious filmgoer will relish. Please do not let the reading of sub-titles keep you at bay. You will miss superb story line and character development if you do.

On to my next potential Oscar winner! I am positive this one is going to take best foreign film.


Recommended:
Yes

Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age