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Reviews
Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain (2001)
A Movie for the Dreamers
I have a message for all who might scoff at this movie.
Yes, of course this movie is a fantasy, all movies are. If you want the run of the mill fantasy; your gritty, your bloody, or your just plain gruesome, you can have it. But don't knock a movie that has heart just because you have forgotten yours. If you are not touched by movie's end, if your heart does not palpitate in recognition of past memories reenacted on-screen, if you do empathize with Amelie's losses, her shyness, her utter humanity,I am afraid, you have lived your life in vain-or are otherwise very hardened. To not know the pain of solitude or the loss of a dear friend or the fear of becoming close to someone and letting them truly know you is a reflection on you, not the movie. If you cannot relate to this movie you are living your life in a box. Either that or you take life too literally.
Also, you cynics, you must remember this is a movie. (A wonderful, excellent, quirky, and endearing film.) Yet, there is one requirement for viewing this film. You must be a dreamer. This is the movie for the underdogs who have never lost the courage to look up at the stars and thank God-or whomever-for the gift that they possess just by being alive. Amelie teaches us to be thankful for the little things, a child's laugh, a cat's purr, a blue sky, simple acts of kindness. And believe me, by reading these hateful reviews, these are things that we, as a culture and a world, need to be reminded of.
Maybe next time you're watching a film you think is superior to the so-called fluff of Amelie, you could do a reality check and realize life imitates art but only for those who truly believe in beauty.
To the dreamers: Don't let the cynics dissuade you, watch this film at all costs, Amelie will inspire you as only a kindred spirit can.
The Piano (1993)
Beautiful and inventive (SPOILERS!!!)
Whatever needed to be said about this film has most likely already been posted here or somewhere else but I felt that maybe I should add my two pennies worth. First of all, I must say that this is a movie that is sure to move you if you keep an open mind and don't take it at face value. Remember it's an analogy and it's meant to represent a theme not "real life". And like, Ada's voice in the film, this movie will only speak to you if you truly listen and want to hear its message. Several people I know took the film too literally and missed the whole point. They kept asking "Why won't she dump that piano?" and "Why doesn't she talk?" Ironically, the answers to these two questions are remarkably intertwined. (I'll leave you to find the answers when you watch it.) I also am haunted by the image of Ada's "lullaby", her vision of herself tied to the piano under the sea. What a striking picture! I loved the fact that the piano was both her voice and her burden. This film expressed a lot that I think needs to said about the issues that are still facing women in our society.
Also, the soundtrack is wonderful. What's great is that it is stunning by itself, outside of the film-a rare thing in scores today.
Miller's Crossing (1990)
A Must-See For Any Lover of The Cinema
There are very few films that engulf the viewer and demand them to give their full attention. This is one of those rarities. While viewing this film one finds themselves sharing the same space and breathing the same air that the characters do. It's beautiful. It's the stuff of great story-telling.
I must admit, I am a great fan of Gabriel Byrne in anything, no matter what it is, so maybe I'm jaded. And as I have seen practically everything with him in it, I must say it is refreshing to see him work with an amazing cast and script to back up his talent.
And the music is terrific. How ironic to have "Danny Boy"-a sentimental grandparents' favorite- playing while machine guns are ripping apart mens' flesh. The cinematography is superb also. Not only do the characters speak in a language rich with visuals, they live in a moving painting.
This was one of those films where I watched all the way through the credits slack-jawed and was sad to see the film end. It's that good. I'm not especially a fan of gangster films but I am willing to make exceptions and Miller's Crossing is one of them.