Rating: (5 of 4)

Amélie is film at its finest. I can't say enough good things about this movie, and I scarcely know where to begin.

I first saw Amélie about a year ago, not even realizing it was directed by Jeunet (who co-directed some other goodies, The City of Lost Children and Delicatessen, with Marc Caro) at the time. Somehow, it also escaped me during the credits, but as soon as I saw the opening shot and the narrator began to speak, I knew it had to be Jeunet. His films have a distinctive delightful quirkiness that made it a dead giveaway. This raised my expectations for the experience even higher, yet as I watched the rest of it, it never disappointed. Throughout the film, I sat there with a big, stupid grin on my face, so glad was I to be in the theater at that moment and to have the full use of my sensory organs. I'm not exaggerating. This movie is good.

As I said, Jeunet's films are quirky. They're filled with eccentric, often hilarious characters and ingeniously creative situations. This one's no exception, yet the darkness you might expect if you're familiar with the two aforementioned Jeunet-Caro collaborations is absent (perhaps there's a connection). I won't spoil any of these characters or situations for you, but there are plenty—thus the grin.

In Amélie, every shot is a work of art. Colors are used beautifully, sets decorated meticulously, and vantage points chosen carefully. The few special effects employed are believable and skillfully complement the plot. The actors not only act convincingly, they also fit their characters perfectly. The musical score is as artful and moving as the cinematography. The plot is uplifting and magical and funny, without ever being ridiculous and trite. It made me re-examine certain aspects of my life. The writing and editing advance the story in refreshing ways. I'm kind of running out of attributes, here. Suffice it to say, this movie has no flaws. Far from it.

Go rent or buy this movie now before something bad mysteriously happens to your whole family. I mean it.

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