I believe movies have a mysterious power.
Sometimes they make us strong, sometimes fragile, and sometimes they bring a calm to our hearts.
The film I'm introducing this time, 'Amélie,' is a slightly mysterious movie that makes anyone a little kinder.
Ever since she was little, the world of her imagination was Amélie's favorite playground.
Even now at 22, she works at a café in Montmartre, Paris, observing the people around her and entertaining herself by letting her imagination run wild.
Then, sparked by a certain incident, she discovers the joy of making other people happy, and begins pulling delightful little pranks on others' lives, quietly meddling in their affairs out of sight.
Yet Amélie is utterly indifferent to her own happiness—until one day she meets a curious young man and instantly falls in love.
That's roughly what the movie is about. It's a film from when Audrey Tautou, who plays Amélie, was 25. Amélie is just so adorable, and it's bound to be a hit with women. On top of that, it's a slightly quirky movie, and while there is some risqué humor, it never feels crude at all—it actually comes across as stylish. The characters include people who would be genuinely unpleasant if they existed in real life, drawn in vivid detail, yet even those people are redeemed. In short, it depicts some pretty edgy territory, yet somehow all of it feels chic. No matter which frame you take, it looks like an artistic painting. This is nothing short of magic.
Directed and written by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, with co-writer Guillaume Laurant. Jean-Pierre Jeunet's other works include 'Alien Resurrection' and 'A Very Long Engagement.' His co-writer Guillaume Laurant seems to have worked with director Jeunet often afterward, on films like 'A Very Long Engagement,' 'The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet,' and 'Micmacs.'
Within all this, the music plays a crucial role. The composer is Yann Tiersen. Besides Amélie, he's famous for scoring 'Good Bye, Lenin!,' and he also does his own live performances and solo work. I've seen 'Good Bye, Lenin!' myself, and that film's style overflows with kindness—those kinds of works probably suit Yann Tiersen best.
Now then, let me introduce the original soundtrack. First, track 2, 'Les Jours Tristes (Instrumental).' Translated, it's 'Sad Days.' It's the song that plays over Amélie's opening, and while there's certainly a sadness to it, it's more the kind of song where even a rainy-day mood feels like something Amélie would end up enjoying.
Next is track 3, 'La Valse Des Monstres.'
Translated into Japanese, it's 'Amélie's Other Waltz.' This CD includes several variations of Amélie's waltz, and this one plays over the ending. Just what kind of girl was Amélie, anyway?
Mulling over that while you bask in the afterglow once the film is over isn't a bad way to spend your time.
Now, you can watch Amélie on Netflix and Hulu.
Just once is enough—please do savor this magical, candy-like movie.
