Film

Jean-Pierre Jeunet, 2001 (120 mins, Cert. 15)

A helter-skelter ride of ideas with anecdotes, captions, coincidences and incidental detail, this gloriously funny, stylish and uplifting experience is both a celebration of life and the story of one girl. Starting with her conception in the womb, the film zips forward to her birth and childhood, where we are introduced to, among others, her suicidal goldfish Blubber . Take your seats for one of the most original and entertaining films of the new millennium..
(Playhouse Publicity)

A delightful film, such as only the French seem able to make. The life-affirming story and semi-detached voice-over combine to produce a feel-good effect far more deeply-felt than Hollywood can mange with its in-yer-face, feel-it-with-us style. Amelie determines to try her best to improve life for all those with whom she comes into contact. In doing so she does, of cousre, cause unintended confusion but all is resolved by the natural intercourse of ordinary people and along the way we receive a gentle warning against filling gaps in our understanding with devils. Films like this, which encourage a sense of the connectedness of people and the ease with which good and ill may be interchanged, do so much to increase the humanity of anone who watches with open eyes. Beautiful!
(Steve Fagg)

Seen: Tuesday, 9th April, 2002 (Harlow Playhouse)