Audrey Tautou in "Amelie."

MOVIE INFORMATION

With 10 as a must-see, Jack gives this film a: Stars: Audrey Tautou Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet Rated: R, with humorous implied sex Length: 120 minutes

ROCHESTERCRITIQUE

Having seen this film, how would you rate it? 10 5 9 4 8 3 7 2 6 1

By Jack Garner
Democrat and Chronicle

(November 9, 2001) -- Here's a recipe for the cinematic equivalent of a fabulous French souffle.

Start with a fanciful fable about a shy, good-natured gamine whose goal is to make everyone around her happy.

Sweeten with a career-launching performance by a delightful young woman named Audrey Tautou.

Toss in a glowing, picture-postcard vision of Paris, especially the oh-so-romantic Montmarte hilltop neighborhood.

Spice with appealing, eccentric characters and colorful interiors.

Stir with energetic and highly imaginative filmmaking techniques.

And call the confection Amelie.

In France, the Jean-Pierre Jeunet concoction has become a sensation -- the most successful film in French history.

I foresee rousing popularity in the art houses of America as well.

Tautou stars as Amelie, a quiet Montmarte waitress who enjoys simple pleasures -- skipping stones on the river, cracking the top of a lovely creme brulee or watching old movies.

One day, quite by accident, she discovers a purpose in life. She will spread joy and goodness among the troubled souls and downtrodden folks she encounters in her day-to-day existence.

They include her co-workers at a Montmarte cafe, her neighbors, a young man who collects discarded photographs from photo booths, and even her emotionally withdrawn father.

In effect, she becomes a matchmaker, a patron, a travel agent and more, with no one ever knowing about the guardian angel.

But along the way, she discovers she has her own dreams -- and even finds a young man to help make them come true.

To describe the narrative doesn't do Amelie justice. The film simply oozes goodness, humor and joy, but with such delightful invention that the effect is never cloying or sappy.

You'll laugh frequently, but you'll smile constantly.

Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet made his reputation with such wildly visionary films as Delicatessen, The City of Lost Children and the dark and violent Alien sequel Alien Resurrection. They're all distinctive exercises in film style and inject an energetic, animated attitude into live-action films.

But with Amelie, Jeunet elevates his unique game, discovering a more accessible and embraceable object for his cinematic affections.

Quite simply, the lovely, artful Amelie is the feel-good film of the year.