Lottie Writes About Films

In modern day, the rom com is a fleeting genre. And yet, as an avid film lover – my favourite film is a rom-com. “Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain” (2001) - Better known as “Amélie” (2001). Hailing from the end of the prime era of the rom-com, Amélie is an eccentric film that follows the titular character as she attempts to better the lives of her equally quirky associates.  It’s whimsical, it’s beautiful and it’s full of love. So, this is my own personal love letter to Amélie, because I simply adore her.

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My journey to finding this film is a little backwards, as I found its musical adaption before the film itself. I had briefly discovered the soundtrack on YouTube, when my college surprised us with a trip to see it on West End. I left that theatre with a feeling of warmth and understanding that no other piece of media had ever given me – and the blessing of knowing that it was based on a film.  As soon as I was home, I looked up where to watch it and to my dismay it was much harder than I thought to find global cinema without paying. As a college student, I didn’t have much money to spare but with great effort, I finally found somewhere to stream it.

I then proceeded to procrastinate watching it for a year.

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In that year, I had decided to pivot from studying theatre to film – and as my first year of university crept closer, I realised I hadn’t watched a lot of films. Not the essential film bro picks at least.  Then it returned to my memory – Amélie. What better way to become a film expert than French cinema? So, I cosied up one night and I finally watched it.

 Everything about this movie is enchanting, from the way it is shot and coloured to the characters and storytelling. It’s heartwarming, silly, a little raunchy - it’s impossible not to just fall in love with the world Jean-Pierre Jeunet created.  But the true star is Amélie herself, Audrey Tatou’s performance is utterly captivating as this oddly charming heroine you can’t help but root for, you laugh with her just as much as you cry with her. Simply put, you can’t help but connect with her. Watching as she grows and learns from the ensemble around her, who also learn from her and each other, is truly a masterclass in character-led story telling. And Nino – played by Mathieu Kassovitz – is the perfect male lead; Caring, dedicated and equally as weird as his leading lady, you just know they are destined for each other. So, when it happens, your heart can’t help but swell. Jean-Pierre Jeunet crafts a meaningful depiction of the struggles of love and isolation with a tenderness only another outcast could manage.

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It felt as if I found my film, the film that defines who you are as a person and as an artist – it was like an epiphany had hit me in the shape of a French waitress. There were films out there that were like the stories I wanted to tell – and I entered university with a newfound confidence.

I’ve graduated now, currently remaining in job hunting limbo and admittedly – a little lost. So, I decided to return to my first love and gave the film a rewatch. Everything from my first watch remains the same, but this time I found another love story intertwined within the plot. Falling in love with life. Appreciating the little things plays such an important role in the story – the narrator telling you the habits of every character we come across, their loves and hates, quirks and secrets. It’s those small daily rituals which bring the cast together and moves the plot forward, as we watch Amélie break free of her isolation the more she interrupts those moments – or even creates them. Of course, life does not always work out the way we want – and the hesitation of living life to the full, in fear of disappointment acts almost like the antagonist of the film. It’s a fear I have myself, that I’m still trying to get over – imposter syndrome ever present in my life as a creative. But Amélie will always remind me to take a risk – because love will always be there, be that in a person or just skipping some rocks. I can’t finish this essay without my favourite quote from the film – In this day an age I think we could all do with hearing it. Thank you, Amélie Poulain, – you changed my life for the better.

 

“My little Amélie, you don't have bones of glass. You can take life's knocks.”