Amelie & Amelie soundtrack

I always had mixed emotions about this film. I think all conscious people would be repulsed by something that was so talked about, hyped, and 'celebrated'. Often the hipsters and trend-followers will live on a film such as this, and I was recently assured, to my surprise, that the film was just as hyped (to death) in France as it was in England (for me) and the rest of the world. So, the first time I saw it I thought it was obvious, pretentious, cheap nonsense. I overlooked it's many strengths because of that over-riding feeling that this was a dumbed down arts film. Something that everyone could go and see, but masqueraded as a credible, hip piece of cinema when in reality it was little more than cinematic candy that people and critics who knew nothing of better, deeper and more interesting and meaningful films would inevitably call "breathtaking!"

Then I chilled out.

I chose to like the film after realising that real love is often corny, and perhaps there was a need for a film like this in popular culture. Still however, that doesn't make it any easier for us to listen Jean-Pierre Jeunet's annoying voice-overs, and refusal to let his accute observations about everyday life (i.e the wrinkles we have all noticed on our fingers in the bath) simply be seen instead of literally spelled out to us like idiots who need to be told as well as shown. 'Chill out man, chill out' I say to myself. What seems to make it so troublesome is that it has all the elements you would expect from a good film, interesting characters, a quirky storyline, and nice cinematography. The never-ending problem though is that they all feel forced, as if the director were going through the tick-list for a 'good film' that people as well as critics would love, and then crammed it all in to this slightly too perfect film. It all fits together a little too nicely. I realise this would be a complete positive for most people. Perhaps it truly is a positive.

The one element for me that makes this film the perfectly cohesive little unit it is, is the soundtrack. In typical fashion it is almost ever-present, ringing through our ears throughout the entire film, and you could be forgiven for taking it for granted as a result. Listening to it on it's own though, without the (metaphorically) rich, attention-seeking characters in your face, one can only appreciate the artistry of the man who put these songs together- Yann Tiersen. Playing all of the instruments himself, he often uses interesting samples such as a type-writer as a psuedo-drumbeat, birds chirping, and the spinning of bicycle wheels. It's fun music, jolly, and on some occasions, such as the deep 'Comptine D'un Autre Ete: L'Apres Midi' innocently beautiful. Other highlights include 'La redecouverte' and 'La Valse D'Amelie', although in truth, the entire album needs to be listened to at once. Almost entirely instrumental, it's the perfect thing to play when you're in need of chill-out/rejuvination or even, dare I say it, background music. The more you listen to this warm music, the more you will be able to appreciate the warmth of the film.

Amelie is many cliches rolled into one tidy production, a film that can only make you happy because of its obviously satisfying ending, and something to watch if you believe in life, but don't mind it's intricacies and beauty-spots being spelled out to you. It doesn't have the subtelty of some of my favourite films, but at times I suppose we all need (a more obvious) reminding of how special life can be, and in that respect, I can forgive Amelie for being shallow. The last time I saw the film, I enjoyed it. So the message to all serious film fans like myself? 'Chill out man, just chill!'

Y.Misdaq aka Yoshi, 5th Jan 2004