Amelie Film Analysis

Amelie (2001, Jean-Pierre Jeunet) is a quirky romantic comedy written by Jeunet and Guillaume Laurant. The main protagonist, Amelie, is an adult who still has an active imagination carried over from her peculiar childhood. She has frequent fantasy vs. reality moments throughout the movie such as the scene towards, the end at the one hour and forty-nine minute mark. Amelie is making her famous plum cake, but she is depressed because she thinks that Nino is in love with Gina. She plays out little fantasy scenarios that happen simultaneously to things happening in her apartment. The mis-en-scene, colors, dialogue, and camera work bond with the tone and overall message of the film. The scene opens with a focus on the ingredients for Amelie’s cake. She is haphazardly putting the cake together, dumping the flour out and throwing back some using her hand, no measuring tools. This reflects the state of mind that Amelie is in. The camera moves …show more content…
She moves slowly, as if in disbelief. She presses her face against the door and in one single shot the camera moves to show Nino. Their only separation is the door. The smooth transition shows that, though separated by a door, Amelie and Nino are still connected. A cut would have indicated that their story was over. Nino calls her name, but she does not respond. He then writes on a scrap of paper and slips it under the door. Back in Amelie’s perspective, she stoops to retrieve it, and once it is in her hand the camera moves with her. This gives the sense of being with Amelie and experiencing her emotions with her. She is confused, scared, and in love. She moves to the window, peeks out, and the focus is down on Nino crossing the street. Amelie’s apprehension and longing grows the further Nino gets. The phone rings and there is another close-up of Amelie’s reaction. The close-ups happen to show Amelie’s reaction and emotions. It is easier to connect with what she is feeling at the