Hahaha and I think they displayed a beautiful story about what it’s like being somewhat of an introvert and how it can effect daily tasks that are otherwise..simple!
This movie has one of the best uses of CGI in cinema. The filmmakers dived into EVERY SHOT and digitally removed all the grafitti, which if you’ve ever been to Paris you will know is absolutely everywhere. It’s such a subtle but impactful way of adding to the somewhat out-of-time and dreamlike nature of the film.
@@BaltimoreGunClubUK eh, France from what I remember never had any real trash but cigarette butts lol. Even Paris was incredibly clean for a city! But then again it’s been years so what do I know.
Odd, I went to Paris in about 2000 (incidentally I left the hotel that the Concorde crashed into a few weeks before that happened). I never noticed any graffiti. What I noticed was that the Eiffel tower was about 10x as big as it looks in photos, a shocking number of homeless people and absolute contempt for us 11-and 12 yr old Brits attempting to speak French. We were supposed to go to practice our French but on a few occasions people were so rude to us if we weren't word-perfect we ended up just speaking English.
Seeing this for the first time when I was 18 years old was the first time I really understood that films were an art form. I was pretty ignorant to art at that age and this movie really helped me expand my understanding of beauty in the world. Incredible film.
Alien Resurrection is a phenomenal, crazy movie that I like very much, despite Alien fans opinion. I'm not saying my opinion about fans in general, If they didn't understood the movie, the hell with them 😎 Jean Pierre-Jeunet is a genius
@@agnesakne4409 Steampunk sci-fi is definitely his style. Jeunet would be the best filmmaker to do a film based on a Jules Verne novel. Too bad Daniel Emilfork isn't still there to be in this movie...
The original title is so lovely "Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain" It has a musicality to it. It means , litterally "Amelie Poulain's fabulous destiny." French speaker here 😉
I do remember reading a comment of a French speaker saying, "Wait, you Americans just call this movie 'Amelie'"? And so I had to look into that, and I did feel all let down with the American title of this.
After seeing this movie, I wasn’t just deeply moved and inspired as a human and a screenwriter, I named my daughter after her, who was born shortly after the movie came to the cinemas.
I was in awe the first time I saw this foreign film. It broke down a lot of barriers related to stigma with subtitles and viewers not wanting to delve into non English speaking films. It’s so achingly beautiful. And yes, like you, I cry during really happy moments and the ending I cried like a baby. My heart ached in good way because I was so happy for her.
That moment where Amelie makes up a whole tragic complex story of how she might go missing as an odd comfort or escapism. That just hits. I have never seen any other movie or media portray this odd fantasy so intense and accurate and just. Familiar.
I definitely didn’t expect you to react to this but this was a delight! I haven’t seen Amélie in years but I think I have to rewatch it because of the nostalgia and atmosphere, definitely one of my favourite movies.
This movie came out at just the perfect time for me. I saw it at just the right age, and just the right time in my life. When the credits rolled tears were streaming down my face because I so *happy*. It changed my life, and the way I looked at cinema. Jean Pierre Jeunet is an amazing director, and I hope you get to check out more of his works.
In 2002 i was 21 and living in Denmark. I was a very safe soul, with nooo self confidence. After watching Amelie I moved to Paris within a month... Tha's how beautiful this movie is to me
Perhaps I'm a crazy person for making this connection, but watching your reaction of "Amelie", made me think of "Lola rennt" (Run Lola Run), a very very different movie tbh, but one of my favorite films ever. I think you're gonna lose your mind with that one.
One of my favourite movies ever. Im an deep introvert. Ive found many traits that Amelie have in myself when ive watched it for the first time. The joy of simple things that many other poeple won't even notice for example. The editing in this movie is amazing too, colors and of course - soundtrack. I still have few tunes on my phone and listen to them for time to time. :) edit: my conclusion of this movie was that our life isn't always defined by a big events but small details, simple choices, coincidences and little joys.
@@nateshort8945 The original Nikita is awesome, and it has Jean Reno’s character, Leon, in a small but great role. I haven’t seen the American remake of Nikita. It might be good but hardly on Luc Besson’s level.
As a French person, it makes me so happy that Americans are reacting to this film. Some Frenchies are a**holes I won't lie, but our movies deserve to be acknowledged!
Fun fact: The main male protagonist is played by Matthieu Kassovitz, who's also a director. In fact, he's the guy who wrote and directed "La Haine", a stunning movie for which he was awarded the Best Director prize at Cannes Film Festival in 1995.
You've covered both of my favourite films now; first Memento and now Amelie! I'm so glad it inspired so much joy in you, as that's why it's special to me too! It reminds me to appreciate the little things in life and seizing the moment. And try to make life better for others and life will be better for you too :) keep going man, you're doing great stuff! "Without you, today's emotions would be the scurf of yesterday's"
This has been my favorite movie since it was released in the US. I started playing the accordion because of the soundtrack. Yann Tiersen, the composer, is an incredible artist. So happy you love this as much as I do.
At one point in my life, I would watch this film everyday. When I was back in high school, I would go to the mall and just buy movies I thought looked interesting based on its cover. This movie was the best purchased out of that era of my life. It made so happy when I was massively depressed. I'm glad you're experiencing this one. Amelie has a special place in my heart.
20 years later this is still my favorite movie of all time. Everything about it is absolutely gorgeous. And as an introverted high schooler who lived a lot in her own head, it really hit home. Dufayel's line about her being able to handle what life dishes out comes to me sometimes when I'm in a tough spot.
15:20 "God, this place is beautiful. What on Earth? Like-people can just live here? Like you can just live here and casually just look at this environment? Like, what?" That's how I feel every time I'm in Paris. It feels unreal, like a dream. The low shot of him running up the steps is looking up the hill to le Basilique du Sacré-Cœur (the Basilica of the Sacred Heart), on Montmartre (the Mount of Mars), in Paris.
This film is soaring with good vibes..WOW!!! Want to vote on what I should watch next? Click here! www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema KINDERGARTEN COP FIRST TIME WATCHING will be uploaded Thursday! Enjoy the day!
Mathieu Kassovitz who plays Nino is a fantastic director in his own right, La Haine is the obvious one but Rebellion is worth a watch too. If you like Jeunet you might want to check out some of Roy Andersson's work, he has an aesthetic of his own.
So glad you enjoyed this! This movie is what made me have to go to Paris. Went by myself at 22, went to Montmartre (the region of Paris this is based in). And so rewatchable.
Amélie has been one of my favourite films since I was a teenager. Gorgeous soundtrack and cinematography, deep characters, a beautiful message... That dreamlike feeling while being a very simple and human story. I just love it. When I was a teen and still believed that I could change the world I wanted to be like her. I remember finding next to a trash can some pages from a diary that was written by a rich young woman around 1920 and I went around the neighbourhood trying to find her and then I tried to look for her on the internet to learn about the stories she told there about the guy she was in love with. My French teacher introduced me to a lot of movies back then. This one, Jeux d'Enfants and Ensemble c'est tout were my favourites. Jeux d'enfants has an interesting visual style that kind of reminds me of Amélie but it's definitely not as wholesome, more like an emotional rollercoaster. It's also the movie where Marion Cotillard met his husband Guillaume Canet, they play the main characters. Ensemble c'est tout is not very well known and not as artistic, but it's a very honest story about normal people dealing with normal problems but somehow it's always made me feel so many things. And Audrey Tatou is also amazing in it, playing a very different character (Guillaume Canet is also in it).
I remember a few years after this movie came out it went BIG in my country, I'm talking about a bunch of 13-15 y/o (my age) obsessed with the movie, the aesthetic, the soundtrack, everything. Now that I think about it, I think it's really cool that we were so young and already loving this kind of cinema.
Anybody who doesn't like this film has a heart of stone, in my opinion. It's probably been over a decade since I watched this last but I was still getting misty eyed in parts. An absolute diamond of a film. Amazing direction, exceptional cast, superb script... soundtrack.... art direction.... *everything*. You really need to check out more films by Jean-Pierre Jeunet though. His inventiveness is second to none, I think, although his earlier work definitely has a flavour similar to Terry Gilliam. Start with "Delicatessen" perhaps. Great reaction. I'm extremely glad you enjoyed this.
9:37 I've seen Amelie perhaps dozens of times now, but when you mention cinematography and the deliberate movement of the camera. with the brief shot of the station being swept up while Amelie (I think it was) was sleeping inside a photobooth, is the first time I realized this: during a lot of scenes, the camera moves at an intentional pace, often from a low height, like you're being put into the perspective of a young child slowly sneaking up on something to.. discover it the way they might. And I just realized the closeups and pans do it too, like the it's putting the camera in a subject's personal/intimate space, and somehow makes the audience feel going up to their parents, and yet their parents don't really notice they're there, because they're generally too preoccupied with their own problems. Same thing with the colors. Everything is presented with a mix of either saturated colors, as a very vibrant stimulus to the senses the way little kids might be first experiencing a lot of the world while staying just below sensory overload, or faded versions of such colors, that convey a sense of loss, age, tiredness, or weariness.
Interesting thing that Amelies love interest is played by Mathieu Kassovits, which is director of "La Haine", the movie that you already did your reaction on this channel.
If I had to discribe this movie in one word, it’ll be wholesome. It makes you feel good and that’s a rare thing. And it makes you want to make connections with people who don’t play that big a part in your life, like a newspaper salesman or your postman. And the soundtrack, it’s sooooo incredibly good. Fun fact: Nino is actually played by Mathieu Kassovitz, the director of La Haine
I was not expecting you to react to Amelie ! And in french :D I was afraid you would miss too much of the vibe of the movie, as dialogues are really well wrote and played, and you only get a straight to the point translation in english. But you enjoyed enough ;)
There are only 2 movies that have made me cry, not from sadness, but from that warmth of heart, like you talk about here. One is ofcourse Amelie, and the other is Big Fish, the Tim Burton Film.
I have to say, this is my 1st time watching you and your reaction to this film brought back to me the feelings I had! Thank you for picking this film and reviewing it, amazing job!
If you did enjoy Amelie please also watch "DELICATESSEN"! Highly recommended and so wannabe watch your reaction. Its French as well, has some of the brilliant actors and is very funny. Trust me ❤
Also for more JP Jeunet goodness, The City of Lost Children. Bonus points for being the rarest of beasts in having an English speaking actor (Ron Perlman) being cast for a foreign language part.
@@rabid_si "A Very Long Engagement" includes French speaking Jodie Foster, while Spanish speaking Viggo Mortenson is the lead in "Alatriste". Just two more examples.
Oh yeah, I'm so glad you're reacting to this one, I'm french and this is one of my favourite film of all times. He has such a nostalgia vibe and I just love it.
Honestly, I love that you're reacting to movies (like Amelie) that other reactors in YT haven't reacted to, even though some of these movies are super popular.
Amélie is one of those movies that makes you happy to be alive. It's important in showing how kindness could change people's lives even from the little things and it's almost therapeutic in a way.
when I first saw this film, it touched a part of me that had been unmoved for almost all of my adulthood. the aesthetics , imagination , colours, interactions, was instinctively recognisable to me. It inspired me to seek to revel in the pleasure of the every day sensations and has been instrumental in steering me through my depressions to the other side. I live to fulfill and explore my senses now . To know myself.
I connected with this movie so deeply the first time I watched it, and it will always be dear to me. The first couple minutes, when she dips her hand into the beans, I felt so seen. I didn't know what neurodivergent was, or anxiety, or adhd. I grew up completely out of place, but my French teacher saw me as a real person and showed me things like this movie and music he enjoyed that he couldn't play in class. This SOUNDTRACK, also, omfg, is one of the most gorgeous things my ears have been gifted, it's absolutely perfect for the film and is so lovely to listen to on its own. I've watched several of your other reactions and was excited to see you pop up when I searched this movie. I'm literally crying rn because of how beautiful the end is, even while being cut up for youtube.
Amelie and Walter Mitty, two great films that appeal to the heart rather than the head. Another one to look out for is Luc Besson's Angel-A, with Jamel Debbouze (the messenger boy in Amelie) in the lead role.
Finally a Jean-Pierre Jeunet film! Thank you much! I highly recommend another of his films, _The City of Lost Children_ ... An incredibly unique sci-fi movie.
One of my absolute favorites. It has just soooooo much heart - and so few films have ever matched it in that regard. I also love the colors and score. Whenever I watch it I feel like I am slowly sinking into a beautiful painting.
I imagine someone else has mentioned this, but the lead guy in this that Amelie is in love with is played by Mathieu Kassovitz, the director of La Haine.
One of the great films of the last few decades. I love that you loved it. You big softy. If curious to maybe explore from this amazing director(Jean-Pierre Jeunet), his film before Amelie and the film he made after are both amazing in their own right. City of Lost Children is something you’ve never seen before. World building at its best, with all the tangent details you love. Then, after Amelie, he and Audrey got together again and made A Very Long Engagement. A sweeping epic set during WW1. A girl and a boy separated by war. She refuses to give up that he was killed as a coward and sets out on a mystery adventure of the heart. The best filmmaking you will ever see. Trust. You’re taste is align with mine. Trust, James...;)
James, I loved watching this through your eyes. You’re spot on about Wes Anderson. He and Jeunet both have this muted storybook style. Another french director you might want to check out is Agnès Jaoui.
My man finally is finally doing EASILY one of my favorite movies of all time. COVID has been hard on the funds but I might have to join the patreon to hear his full commentary on this. I am Quixotic to a fault, if I had a gun to my head and was told to think of a problem with Amelie, "Quixotic to a fault" is the only answer I could begrudgingly give
I love that movie.. I actually still remember how i felt when i left the theatre, i couldn't stop smiling for at least an hour and couldn't concentrate on anything :D
This is what a lot of people think of when the subject of french movies comes up, so I'm surprised you haven't heard of it. It's a good movie, but when I think of french movies, the endings are more ambiguous or dark like "La Haine" rather than uplifting like Amelie. But keep going with the foreign films! I think there's a lot more with french films to explore like Delicitassen and Army of Shadows.
One of my favorite films of all time. I've only been in Paris once, and only for about 8 hours running around on a Sunday on a day trip for London, but being at Sacre Coeur, the beautiful white church in this film, and just walking around Montmartre where they shot this film, is amazing. We got fresh crepes with just orange juice and sugar on them and sat on the steps. Can't wait to go back. Fun Fact: Mathieu Kassovitz, who played Amelie's love interest, Nino, also wrote and directed 'La Haine', one of the most acclaimed modern French films.
I like that James always starts the video where he looks/sounds like he just woke up from a nap. Thats not a knock, he just always seems relaxed and comfortable. The use of color in this film is amazing.
Those camera movements are extremely fascinating to me, on a technical level. This was about a decade before we even had drones fitted with cameras commercially available, a decade and a half before those gave cinema-level quality. They did all of those shots with cranes and rigs, which means they had to open up a LOT of space, but you can't tell from those angles they've picked.
You should check out Jeunet's earlier films--he and Marc Caro created two AMAZING films (Delicatessen and The City of Lost Children)--in them you can see Jeunet laying the ground work for his sensibility and style which were crystalized in Amelie.
Saw this film so many times in my early 20s. It was definitely the go-to choice when staying at someone's house after a party and everyone was hungover the next day.
I'm so glad you watched this film, James.And I'm very glad you liked it. It is one of my favorite film and my favorite French film.This film inspired me to travel to Paris. I was in that café in the Montmartre. It was full of tourists but the feeling was incredible. And her other film the Very long engagement is great too. Sorry my bad English but it's not my native language.
Yesss, this is in my top 5 of all time. The music, the cinematography is fantastic, and i think a lot of people fell in love with Audrey Tautou when this came out. I think his next movie A Very Long Engagement is also fantastic and largely overlooked
I was so stoked to see this film show up in your list. It's absolutely delightful, like a great big hug in cinematic form. Since you dug this so much I will definitely start suggesting other French films
Dude, every film from this director is a pure gem. Jeunet (with Caro) made so cool films you definitly need to see "Delicatessen" and "La cité des enfants perdus" (City of lost children) to enter in their universe that is not so happy
Amelie is a rescuer, a rewarder, she makes others happy, completes others' lives in a way; however, she's not selfish as she saves the last, and best, for herself.
When I was in university at the start of the '90s I saw Delicatessen. Jeunet and Caro's first film. I've been following Jeunet ever since. Amelie is one of my favourites. It's amazing that all the directors I've worked with have asked if we can make it look like Amelie. Apart from Delicatessen, the other must watch is The City of Lost Children.
Perhaps my favorite film of all time. As a big introvert and someone that is overly idealistic, this smacked me right in the face with its message
Hahaha and I think they displayed a beautiful story about what it’s like being somewhat of an introvert and how it can effect daily tasks that are otherwise..simple!
Exactly how I feel about this movie. It´s such an experience all together. The music, the actors just everything.
Me too
Same. Top 3 all time for me for sure.
My cinematography teacher said it the best back in 2002 - "Watching Amelie is the best visual representation of falling in love."
The best description of this movie.I will use it.Thanks for your teacher 🙂
I always remember one review I read on a website back in the day that said, “this movie is like being hugged”
This movie has one of the best uses of CGI in cinema. The filmmakers dived into EVERY SHOT and digitally removed all the grafitti, which if you’ve ever been to Paris you will know is absolutely everywhere. It’s such a subtle but impactful way of adding to the somewhat out-of-time and dreamlike nature of the film.
huh, never knew that. that's amazing.
@@maximiliandort3489 No litter either. They had their work cut out for them...
@@BaltimoreGunClubUK eh, France from what I remember never had any real trash but cigarette butts lol. Even Paris was incredibly clean for a city! But then again it’s been years so what do I know.
@@moviesinminutes4057 Your mind playing tricks on you. Nostalgia is a B
Odd, I went to Paris in about 2000 (incidentally I left the hotel that the Concorde crashed into a few weeks before that happened). I never noticed any graffiti. What I noticed was that the Eiffel tower was about 10x as big as it looks in photos, a shocking number of homeless people and absolute contempt for us 11-and 12 yr old Brits attempting to speak French. We were supposed to go to practice our French but on a few occasions people were so rude to us if we weren't word-perfect we ended up just speaking English.
Films like Ameliè are the ones we need in these times❤️
Agree 100%
I remember it opening in cinemas right after 9/11. A blessing indeed
Amélie not Ameliè lol
Audrey Tautou is the most definitive female role model that encompasses humanity and infinity at the same time!
Yeah, can't personally recommend "The Jesus Rolls".. it ain't for everyone, but her in that❤ she's still got it!!
Or as I call her: Audrey Hepburn II.
Seeing this for the first time when I was 18 years old was the first time I really understood that films were an art form. I was pretty ignorant to art at that age and this movie really helped me expand my understanding of beauty in the world. Incredible film.
I always laugh when I remember this sentence: Amélie, from the director of Alien Resurrection.
Alien Resurrection is a phenomenal, crazy movie that I like very much, despite Alien fans opinion. I'm not saying my opinion about fans in general, If they didn't understood the movie, the hell with them 😎
Jean Pierre-Jeunet is a genius
science fiction thriller definetely not his genre
That is laughable
not sure if he couldn't. ever see city of lost children?
@@agnesakne4409 Steampunk sci-fi is definitely his style. Jeunet would be the best filmmaker to do a film based on a Jules Verne novel. Too bad Daniel Emilfork isn't still there to be in this movie...
The original title is so lovely "Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain"
It has a musicality to it.
It means , litterally "Amelie Poulain's fabulous destiny."
French speaker here 😉
I adore this title!! ❤️
I do remember reading a comment of a French speaker saying, "Wait, you Americans just call this movie 'Amelie'"? And so I had to look into that, and I did feel all let down with the American title of this.
@@susanlawens3776 tell them that we recognize that like Cher, Beyonce, Rhianna, there's just one Amelie.
After seeing this movie, I wasn’t just deeply moved and inspired as a human and a screenwriter, I named my daughter after her, who was born shortly after the movie came to the cinemas.
I rewatch this movie, at least once a year. Just to make me feel good. And the use of yellow, green and red in this movie...makes it heartwarming.
I was in awe the first time I saw this foreign film. It broke down a lot of barriers related to stigma with subtitles and viewers not wanting to delve into non English speaking films.
It’s so achingly beautiful. And yes, like you, I cry during really happy moments and the ending I cried like a baby. My heart ached in good way because I was so happy for her.
One of my all time favourites. Jeunet also directed Delicatessen, City of Lost Children and A Very Long Engagement, all great movies.
He's a brilliant director. Also, Ron Perlman's performance in City of Lost Children is one of my favorites of his.
the very Three i was going to suggest, in particular Delicatessen. its editing shadow has been cast over media since its release. love it
Delicatessen is a masterpiece
That moment where Amelie makes up a whole tragic complex story of how she might go missing as an odd comfort or escapism.
That just hits. I have never seen any other movie or media portray this odd fantasy so intense and accurate and just. Familiar.
After I saw this when it came out on video, it was my favorite movie for years. It's still one of my favorites.
One of the best film scores ever!
Yeah I still listen to the soundtrack from time to time. So cheerfull (but also some sadness)
It’s soooo good!
@@idhunepijl2398 me too! It brings up some really great memories, too. It’s so evocative of Montmartre and Paris and France in general for me.
For me, this is a "healing" film. From the melancholy, bad mood, dullness ... And the second with such an effect is The Darjeeling Limited.
Oh my gosh. Absolutely! Amelie is my favorite movie ever, and Darjeeling Limited is suuuch a vibe
I definitely didn’t expect you to react to this but this was a delight! I haven’t seen Amélie in years but I think I have to rewatch it because of the nostalgia and atmosphere, definitely one of my favourite movies.
You’re the only reactor I’ve found that knows the difference between cinematography and color grading and I can’t tell you how much joy it brings me 😂
This movie came out at just the perfect time for me. I saw it at just the right age, and just the right time in my life. When the credits rolled tears were streaming down my face because I so *happy*. It changed my life, and the way I looked at cinema. Jean Pierre Jeunet is an amazing director, and I hope you get to check out more of his works.
The way this movie radiates comfort 🍓♥️
Beautifully said. It’s so good!
In 2002 i was 21 and living in Denmark. I was a very safe soul, with nooo self confidence. After watching Amelie I moved to Paris within a month... Tha's how beautiful this movie is to me
Perhaps I'm a crazy person for making this connection, but watching your reaction of "Amelie", made me think of "Lola rennt" (Run Lola Run), a very very different movie tbh, but one of my favorite films ever. I think you're gonna lose your mind with that one.
I second Run Lola Run!
Love Run Lola Run
French cinema is just so unapologetically beautiful a lot of times... So different from Hollywood...
One of my favourite movies ever. Im an deep introvert. Ive found many traits that Amelie have in myself when ive watched it for the first time. The joy of simple things that many other poeple won't even notice for example.
The editing in this movie is amazing too, colors and of course - soundtrack. I still have few tunes on my phone and listen to them for time to time. :)
edit: my conclusion of this movie was that our life isn't always defined by a big events but small details, simple choices, coincidences and little joys.
As a Frenchman, I'm delighted to see some reactions to our productions such as Luc Besson’s movies
Merci à toi 🙏🇨🇵
Waiting for the original La Femme Nikita on this channel...
Ah I’m so happy to hear! 🙏🏽♥️
@@nateshort8945 The original Nikita is awesome, and it has Jean Reno’s character, Leon, in a small but great role. I haven’t seen the American remake of Nikita. It might be good but hardly on Luc Besson’s level.
Luc Besson is a god.
I really enjoyed Luc Besson's Angel-A (2005), which also stars Jamel Debbouze (the grocer's assistant in Amélie).
As a French person, it makes me so happy that Americans are reacting to this film. Some Frenchies are a**holes I won't lie, but our movies deserve to be acknowledged!
Fun fact: The main male protagonist is played by Matthieu Kassovitz, who's also a director. In fact, he's the guy who wrote and directed "La Haine", a stunning movie for which he was awarded the Best Director prize at Cannes Film Festival in 1995.
You've covered both of my favourite films now; first Memento and now Amelie! I'm so glad it inspired so much joy in you, as that's why it's special to me too! It reminds me to appreciate the little things in life and seizing the moment. And try to make life better for others and life will be better for you too :) keep going man, you're doing great stuff!
"Without you, today's emotions would be the scurf of yesterday's"
Mike, my brother this made my day man. Thank you seriously!
I'm not one who's into romantic-type films, but Amelie is just SO good! It's such a quirky, charming, feel-good type of film.
This has been my favorite movie since it was released in the US. I started playing the accordion because of the soundtrack. Yann Tiersen, the composer, is an incredible artist. So happy you love this as much as I do.
At one point in my life, I would watch this film everyday. When I was back in high school, I would go to the mall and just buy movies I thought looked interesting based on its cover. This movie was the best purchased out of that era of my life. It made so happy when I was massively depressed. I'm glad you're experiencing this one. Amelie has a special place in my heart.
20 years later this is still my favorite movie of all time. Everything about it is absolutely gorgeous. And as an introverted high schooler who lived a lot in her own head, it really hit home. Dufayel's line about her being able to handle what life dishes out comes to me sometimes when I'm in a tough spot.
15:20 "God, this place is beautiful. What on Earth? Like-people can just live here? Like you can just live here and casually just look at this environment? Like, what?" That's how I feel every time I'm in Paris. It feels unreal, like a dream.
The low shot of him running up the steps is looking up the hill to le Basilique du Sacré-Cœur (the Basilica of the Sacred Heart), on Montmartre (the Mount of Mars), in Paris.
This film is soaring with good vibes..WOW!!!
Want to vote on what I should watch next? Click here! www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema
KINDERGARTEN COP FIRST TIME WATCHING will be uploaded Thursday! Enjoy the day!
Amelie... my favourite film of all time 😍 Thanks for reacting 👍
I recommend another French film- Love me if you dare. Early Marion Cotillard.
"Girl on the Bridge" (French, 1999) If you want a top tier romantic film. The style will blow you away.
Mathieu Kassovitz who plays Nino is a fantastic director in his own right, La Haine is the obvious one but Rebellion is worth a watch too.
If you like Jeunet you might want to check out some of Roy Andersson's work, he has an aesthetic of his own.
never knew i wanted this until I saw this notice! jejeje cool!
So glad you enjoyed this! This movie is what made me have to go to Paris. Went by myself at 22, went to Montmartre (the region of Paris this is based in). And so rewatchable.
The RED and GREEN magical world of Amélie!
This is one of the most life affirming movies of all time. You can't help but get swept away in its joyous flow.
I'm discovering your reactions. I admire the quality of your observations and comments. You deserve your 144K subscribers.
Welcome aboard homie. Thanks!
17:26 the way the background audio changes constantly with each cobbled together letter scrap that Amelie put together is SO GOOD.
Amélie has been one of my favourite films since I was a teenager. Gorgeous soundtrack and cinematography, deep characters, a beautiful message... That dreamlike feeling while being a very simple and human story. I just love it. When I was a teen and still believed that I could change the world I wanted to be like her. I remember finding next to a trash can some pages from a diary that was written by a rich young woman around 1920 and I went around the neighbourhood trying to find her and then I tried to look for her on the internet to learn about the stories she told there about the guy she was in love with.
My French teacher introduced me to a lot of movies back then. This one, Jeux d'Enfants and Ensemble c'est tout were my favourites. Jeux d'enfants has an interesting visual style that kind of reminds me of Amélie but it's definitely not as wholesome, more like an emotional rollercoaster. It's also the movie where Marion Cotillard met his husband Guillaume Canet, they play the main characters. Ensemble c'est tout is not very well known and not as artistic, but it's a very honest story about normal people dealing with normal problems but somehow it's always made me feel so many things. And Audrey Tatou is also amazing in it, playing a very different character (Guillaume Canet is also in it).
Try the big blue by besson
@@goneetfierdeletre4032 Thanks for the rec, I'll check it out! ^^
I remember a few years after this movie came out it went BIG in my country, I'm talking about a bunch of 13-15 y/o (my age) obsessed with the movie, the aesthetic, the soundtrack, everything. Now that I think about it, I think it's really cool that we were so young and already loving this kind of cinema.
One of my favorite films of all time. Love everything about it. And, that cinematography! Brilliant.
YES!!!!!! One of my ALL TIME favourite movies!! So many themes and amazing shots! What a treat! Thank you :)
Agreed!! Beautiful film!
Anybody who doesn't like this film has a heart of stone, in my opinion. It's probably been over a decade since I watched this last but I was still getting misty eyed in parts. An absolute diamond of a film. Amazing direction, exceptional cast, superb script... soundtrack.... art direction.... *everything*.
You really need to check out more films by Jean-Pierre Jeunet though. His inventiveness is second to none, I think, although his earlier work definitely has a flavour similar to Terry Gilliam. Start with "Delicatessen" perhaps.
Great reaction. I'm extremely glad you enjoyed this.
Can't believe you're the only reaction to this on UA-cam, such a beautiful film.
9:37 I've seen Amelie perhaps dozens of times now, but when you mention cinematography and the deliberate movement of the camera. with the brief shot of the station being swept up while Amelie (I think it was) was sleeping inside a photobooth, is the first time I realized this: during a lot of scenes, the camera moves at an intentional pace, often from a low height, like you're being put into the perspective of a young child slowly sneaking up on something to.. discover it the way they might. And I just realized the closeups and pans do it too, like the it's putting the camera in a subject's personal/intimate space, and somehow makes the audience feel going up to their parents, and yet their parents don't really notice they're there, because they're generally too preoccupied with their own problems.
Same thing with the colors. Everything is presented with a mix of either saturated colors, as a very vibrant stimulus to the senses the way little kids might be first experiencing a lot of the world while staying just below sensory overload, or faded versions of such colors, that convey a sense of loss, age, tiredness, or weariness.
the soundtrack in this movie is everything. yann tiersen is brilliant.
Fun fact: Nino (mathieu kassovitz) was in the "Fifth element".He was the "thief" staring at Korben's door.
Interesting thing that Amelies love interest is played by Mathieu Kassovits, which is director of "La Haine", the movie that you already did your reaction on this channel.
If I had to discribe this movie in one word, it’ll be wholesome. It makes you feel good and that’s a rare thing. And it makes you want to make connections with people who don’t play that big a part in your life, like a newspaper salesman or your postman. And the soundtrack, it’s sooooo incredibly good.
Fun fact: Nino is actually played by Mathieu Kassovitz, the director of La Haine
This movie always brings me to tears... tears of happiness. The most heartwarming movie that was ever made. Now I need to see it again ♥
So glad you reacted to this one. It has such a magical atmosphere, it's a colorful, hopeful little vacation from reality❤
I was not expecting you to react to Amelie ! And in french :D I was afraid you would miss too much of the vibe of the movie, as dialogues are really well wrote and played, and you only get a straight to the point translation in english. But you enjoyed enough ;)
Oh 100% I absolutely love that actually!
I would rather watch a subtitled film and listen to the actors real voices/ emotions. Dubbed films take me out of the experience.
There are only 2 movies that have made me cry, not from sadness, but from that warmth of heart, like you talk about here. One is ofcourse Amelie, and the other is Big Fish, the Tim Burton Film.
Try requiem for a dream
One of the best movies of the last 40 years
Growing man who doesn't get emotional about anything. I got a bit choked up when she's describing things for the old blind man.
I have to say, this is my 1st time watching you and your reaction to this film brought back to me the feelings I had! Thank you for picking this film and reviewing it, amazing job!
So happy to hear! Thank you!
If you did enjoy Amelie please also watch "DELICATESSEN"! Highly recommended and so wannabe watch your reaction. Its French as well, has some of the brilliant actors and is very funny. Trust me ❤
Also for more JP Jeunet goodness, The City of Lost Children. Bonus points for being the rarest of beasts in having an English speaking actor (Ron Perlman) being cast for a foreign language part.
What an opening
@@rabid_si "A Very Long Engagement" includes French speaking Jodie Foster, while Spanish speaking Viggo Mortenson is the lead in "Alatriste". Just two more examples.
Apocalypto and now Amelie, your patreons know the score!
Oh yeah, I'm so glad you're reacting to this one, I'm french and this is one of my favourite film of all times. He has such a nostalgia vibe and I just love it.
Honestly, I love that you're reacting to movies (like Amelie) that other reactors in YT haven't reacted to, even though some of these movies are super popular.
my daughter name is Amelie, you can guess that i love this movie.
This is one of my favorite films of all time. This is how Paris felt to me when I first visited.
The same director of "Alien Resurrection".
He's so smart.
Amélie is one of those movies that makes you happy to be alive. It's important in showing how kindness could change people's lives even from the little things and it's almost therapeutic in a way.
„This is how you build up your storytelling.Being present in comfortability”
This film help everybody.
when I first saw this film, it touched a part of me that had been unmoved for almost all of my adulthood. the aesthetics , imagination , colours, interactions, was instinctively recognisable to me. It inspired me to seek to revel in the pleasure of the every day sensations and has been instrumental in steering me through my depressions to the other side. I live to fulfill and explore my senses now . To know myself.
I connected with this movie so deeply the first time I watched it, and it will always be dear to me. The first couple minutes, when she dips her hand into the beans, I felt so seen. I didn't know what neurodivergent was, or anxiety, or adhd. I grew up completely out of place, but my French teacher saw me as a real person and showed me things like this movie and music he enjoyed that he couldn't play in class. This SOUNDTRACK, also, omfg, is one of the most gorgeous things my ears have been gifted, it's absolutely perfect for the film and is so lovely to listen to on its own. I've watched several of your other reactions and was excited to see you pop up when I searched this movie. I'm literally crying rn because of how beautiful the end is, even while being cut up for youtube.
OHHHHHH, one of the best films ever made man, it manages to be even more wholesome than walter mitty
Amelie and Walter Mitty, two great films that appeal to the heart rather than the head. Another one to look out for is Luc Besson's Angel-A, with Jamel Debbouze (the messenger boy in Amelie) in the lead role.
@@thewildgoose7467 Yes I love them both! The Intouchables is also on my lists of heartwarming film. Now I have to check out Angel-A. Thanks!
Fun fact: the guy who plays the love interest in this movie is the director of La Haine.
Love this movie and this channel keep it up!
Finally a Jean-Pierre Jeunet film! Thank you much! I highly recommend another of his films, _The City of Lost Children_ ... An incredibly unique sci-fi movie.
Delicatessen too i was 14 years old when i wachted in my town in mexico it chance my wolrd and taste of cinema
One of my absolute favorites. It has just soooooo much heart - and so few films have ever matched it in that regard. I also love the colors and score. Whenever I watch it I feel like I am slowly sinking into a beautiful painting.
This was the first real foreign film I ever saw. I was captivated, and it got me to branch out and discover new types of cinema from around the world.
This movie just warms your heart
I imagine someone else has mentioned this, but the lead guy in this that Amelie is in love with is played by Mathieu Kassovitz, the director of La Haine.
Everytime I crack into a crème brûlée, I think of this film.
So satisfying hahaha
@@JamesVSCinema They could have called this movie The Simple Pleasures,
One of the great films of the last few decades. I love that you loved it. You big softy. If curious to maybe explore from this amazing director(Jean-Pierre Jeunet), his film before Amelie and the film he made after are both amazing in their own right. City of Lost Children is something you’ve never seen before. World building at its best, with all the tangent details you love. Then, after Amelie, he and Audrey got together again and made A Very Long Engagement. A sweeping epic set during WW1. A girl and a boy separated by war. She refuses to give up that he was killed as a coward and sets out on a mystery adventure of the heart. The best filmmaking you will ever see. Trust. You’re taste is align with mine. Trust, James...;)
James, I loved watching this through your eyes.
You’re spot on about Wes Anderson. He and Jeunet both have this muted storybook style.
Another french director you might want to check out is Agnès Jaoui.
OMFG never seen any yter react to this masterpiece!! so excited
My man finally is finally doing EASILY one of my favorite movies of all time. COVID has been hard on the funds but I might have to join the patreon to hear his full commentary on this. I am Quixotic to a fault, if I had a gun to my head and was told to think of a problem with Amelie, "Quixotic to a fault" is the only answer I could begrudgingly give
I love that movie.. I actually still remember how i felt when i left the theatre, i couldn't stop smiling for at least an hour and couldn't concentrate on anything :D
This is what a lot of people think of when the subject of french movies comes up, so I'm surprised you haven't heard of it. It's a good movie, but when I think of french movies, the endings are more ambiguous or dark like "La Haine" rather than uplifting like Amelie.
But keep going with the foreign films! I think there's a lot more with french films to explore like Delicitassen and Army of Shadows.
Thanks for the reaction - this is one of my all time favs! Never gets tired of it and it keeps making me happy and warm inside :)
So, will we be seeing Delicatessen & A City Of Lost Children in the poll soon, James?
Sir you are a man of high culture
One of my favorite films of all time. I've only been in Paris once, and only for about 8 hours running around on a Sunday on a day trip for London, but being at Sacre Coeur, the beautiful white church in this film, and just walking around Montmartre where they shot this film, is amazing. We got fresh crepes with just orange juice and sugar on them and sat on the steps. Can't wait to go back. Fun Fact: Mathieu Kassovitz, who played Amelie's love interest, Nino, also wrote and directed 'La Haine', one of the most acclaimed modern French films.
I like that James always starts the video where he looks/sounds like he just woke up from a nap. Thats not a knock, he just always seems relaxed and comfortable.
The use of color in this film is amazing.
Hahaha good vibes always!
I watched this over and over in high school! It's so beautiful! Amelie is such a love. This reaction gave me so much nostalgia and joy! ✨💛✨
Those camera movements are extremely fascinating to me, on a technical level. This was about a decade before we even had drones fitted with cameras commercially available, a decade and a half before those gave cinema-level quality.
They did all of those shots with cranes and rigs, which means they had to open up a LOT of space, but you can't tell from those angles they've picked.
No 4k bluray of this legendary film is a major crime.
You should check out Jeunet's earlier films--he and Marc Caro created two AMAZING films (Delicatessen and The City of Lost Children)--in them you can see Jeunet laying the ground work for his sensibility and style which were crystalized in Amelie.
The garden gnome on a world trip is the best ever.
This was the best foreign language winner of that year. It's entirely in French so it requires you to read it
I love it so much!
Saw this film so many times in my early 20s. It was definitely the go-to choice when staying at someone's house after a party and everyone was hungover the next day.
I'm so glad you watched this film, James.And I'm very glad you liked it. It is one of my favorite film and my favorite French film.This film inspired me to travel to Paris. I was in that café in the Montmartre. It was full of tourists but the feeling was incredible.
And her other film the Very long engagement is great too.
Sorry my bad English but it's not my native language.
One of my favorite directors for sure is Jean-Pierre. Please check out "A Very Long Engagement" by him. Amazing as well.
Yesss, this is in my top 5 of all time. The music, the cinematography is fantastic, and i think a lot of people fell in love with Audrey Tautou when this came out. I think his next movie A Very Long Engagement is also fantastic and largely overlooked
I was so stoked to see this film show up in your list. It's absolutely delightful, like a great big hug in cinematic form. Since you dug this so much I will definitely start suggesting other French films
Dude, every film from this director is a pure gem. Jeunet (with Caro) made so cool films you definitly need to see "Delicatessen" and "La cité des enfants perdus" (City of lost children) to enter in their universe that is not so happy
Amelie is a rescuer, a rewarder, she makes others happy, completes others' lives in a way; however, she's not selfish as she saves the last, and best, for herself.
When I was in university at the start of the '90s I saw Delicatessen. Jeunet and Caro's first film. I've been following Jeunet ever since. Amelie is one of my favourites. It's amazing that all the directors I've worked with have asked if we can make it look like Amelie. Apart from Delicatessen, the other must watch is The City of Lost Children.