Marvelous Movies You May Have Missed: Amélie

Today marks the 16th anniversary of Princess Diana's tragic death in Paris.  Looking back, I remember with vivid detail the total devastation I felt when I first heard the news and the following week when I woke up in the middle of the night armed with a box of tissues to watch the funeral. It is a little embarassing to admit that I cried more watching that funeral than any funeral I've attended for people I actually knew, even relatives. 

I know.

But I can't help it. Even when my dad starts spouting off my long line of Irish and Scottish relatives that are sure to be turning in their graves at the mere thought of my infatuation with British royalty, I can't stop my love for all things Windsor.

I thought maybe that was part of the reason I loved the movie, Amélie ("Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain"), a French movie released back in 2001. Through this event that appears to have absolutely nothing to do with the main character, Amelie becomes a catalyst for changing the lives of those around her.  If you've ever thought that we are not all connected in some way, not only us as humans, but everything that surrounds us, you may find some new ideas to ponder after watching this movie.

        

It is a charming and delightful film.  Some have called it sappy, and I suppose it is. Another reason I thought it may have had so much success was that it was released in 2001, at a time when the world could use a little lighthearted whimsy.  Rewatching it today, it does not lose any of its original charm. And let's face it, the world could still use a little more whimsy.