Movie Review: Amelie

Story: How often have you read all of the following words in one Lobo review? - funny, inventive, entertaining, uplifting and joyful? Well, this film has it all. I simply loved it. French director and writer Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Delicatessen) has blessed us with the must see film for 2001. It is a simple story about a young woman who believes she has been gifted with the task of doing good for others. It is about life's little things, its rich details, love, eccentricity, obsession, romance and spirit. You will be pulled into this classic from the first frames. It is a wonderful combination of old-fashioned story telling with new digitalized technology. Do not be afraid of subtitles. Just go and have yourself one heck of a good time. I laughed, I smiled - I enjoyed myself thoroughly. You will be seeing a lot of the promos for this film everywhere. It is being distributed by Miramax (remember what they did to Chocolat last year?) and I am sure they will be promoting it heavily for this year's Oscars since their Gangs of New York film has apparently now been set for release in 2002.

Acting: Brava to Audrey Tautou as Amelie. She is a young Audrey Hepburn. She is charming, beautiful and totally right for this part. Everyone else is right on the money for their roles as well... but she steals the film.

Critters: Everywhere, all of the time.

Food: It is French ... of course there is food.

Visual Art: The film has so much wonderful detail I might even go to see it again to enjoy the small things that I am sure that I missed the first go round. The use of color is also extraordinary. It is bathed in luscious sepias and golds.

Blatant Product Placement: Lots of French stuff.

Soundtrack: Perfect

Opening Titles: Literally from the first frame to the closing credits you will be enthralled.

Theater Audience: We went to the movies to celebrate our ritual of an early movie followed by an afternoon massage to help those aches and pains after the NYC Marathon. Good grief! The movie was crowded. Is this part of the jump in unemployment? The crowd did not look like other Marathoners ... but then again, they probably did not know that I was a marathoner either (except I was wearing my medal).

Quirky Meter: 5

Predictability Level: Lots of surprises everywhere.

Oscar Worthy: Absolutely!

Nit Picking: My only complaint was that it was about 15 minutes too long.

Big Screen or Rental: Big screen for sure.

Length: Two Hours.

LOBO HOWLS: 9