Amelia
 

Last night. Charming film. Does anyone know the restaurant in the opening scene with a fantastic view?

Amelia is the beautiful island where I live--she was the youngest daughter of King George and very British. I think the movie is spelled differently, perhaps Amalie--but the other France lovers would know.

Hello from another francophile.That scene in AMELIE, I think, is Patachou. A restaurant with a fantastic view.If only the food was as good.

Is this movie in theaters or out on vid?

I am in Boston and it is playing in Cambridge at the Kendall.

It's only showing as a limited release. Typically that means independent theatres, or "art house" theatres. <BR>

Found it at one theater here in Seattle, will have to check it out! Maybe a rainy Sunday matinee!<BR>

My girlfriend & I were walking around Montmatre on our second evening in Paris two years ago, when we came across a restaurant with a garden terrace that had a stunning view overlooking Paris. <BR><BR>I'd forgotten the name but, after looking at the photo at www.patachou.com, I'm sure that's the one (merci, Mimi!). And I'm equally sure that's the restaurant in the opening scene of Amelie. <BR><BR>We saw Amelie this past weekend and loved it. What a wonderful, charming, whimsical film. Amelie is played by the young (23) Audrey Tautou, who had a small part another charming French film, The Venus Beauty Institute, and she has perhaps the biggest brown eyes I've ever seen. (The the little girl who plays her in the beginning of the film is captivating too.) The cinematography makes Montmartre, and the rest of Paris, look even more beautiful than they already are.

For Wendy in Seattle: Go early, lines around the block. Make sure you can read the subtitles from your seat or you'll be perplexed. Everyday Paris is ravishing in this film.

My girlfriend & I were walking around Montmatre on our second evening in Paris two years ago, when we came across a restaurant with a garden terrace that had a stunning view overlooking Paris. <BR><BR>I'd forgotten the name but, after looking at the photo at www.patachou.com, I'm sure that's the one (merci, Mimi!). And I'm equally sure that's the restaurant in the opening scene of Amelie. <BR><BR>We saw Amelie this past weekend and loved it. What a wonderful, charming, whimsical film. Amelie is played by the young (23) Audrey Tautou, who had a small part another charming French film, The Venus Beauty Institute, and she has perhaps the biggest brown eyes I've ever seen. (The the little girl who plays her in the beginning of the film is captivating too.) The cinematography makes Montmartre, and the rest of Paris, look even more beautiful than they already are.

Wendy, what John said, go early. We caught the matinee last Sunday and the Egyptian was packed.

John & Capo, merci beaucoup!! I appreciate the insite! Will plan well in advance!

In the interest of balance I will offer my perceptions of the movie.<BR>I thought it was a cute, little movie but nothing extraordinary. I do always enjoy watching foreign films, they give you a glimpse into other cultures for a moment. ...make me feel as though I have just traveled for two hours. I judge a film not by new theme in directing, filming etc...more what keeps me thinking about the movie in the following few days. If it is a funny movie than I think about the comic sense for at least some time later. If it is dramatic movie than the story line, if it is beautifully filmed, made me think of something different, you get the picture. This did none of that and I really don't get its wide spread appeal, at one point I even found myself yawning…. and I have to add it was a bit predictable. The water closet scene in the restaurant?... how many more times are we going to see this in French and British films the unattractive/overweight/needy/having loud ackward sex. The only thing that really did not surprise me was that Amalie’s hair was not hot-pink or some other inorganic color. A cute movie, Amalie is just not much more than that.<BR>

Very funny film. Audrey's other film The Venice Beauty Parlor is now out on video.

Caught this wonderful film at the opening of our local film fest a few week ago in Vancouver. It was completely charming and I can't wait to see it again! See this movie, we all need something uplifting at this point and this fits the bill.

What fun!! Thanks for the recommendations to see this film. My friend and I went yesterday- early as John and capo suggested. We laughed the whole way thru!! Excellent story line and a great "feel good movie". Damn that gnome sure gets around!!! ;)

Glad to hear you enjoyed it, Wendy.<BR><BR>Here's the review in the Seattle Weekly:<BR><BR>http://www.seattleweekly.com/feature...m-miller.shtml

Also, here's a short article in the Seattle Weekly about the director, Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Interesting to read his opinion about cynicism in France compared to the U.S., and also about the advice he would give to an American going to France. <BR><BR>http://www.seattleweekly.com/feature...-miller2.shtml

No wonder Montmartre looks so good--much of the neighborhood scenery in the movie is FAKED with computerized special effects. The idea was to create a 1930s type Montmartre look, not the real Montmartre of today. No crowds, no litter, no graffiti, etc. Enjoy the movie but don't think the Montmartre you see on the screen is the same you'd find in reality. I think Paris is more beautiful now than it's been in decades (for Y2K celebrations they sandblasted everything that didn't move and the strong economy meant major cleanups in many neighborhoods) but Montmartre is still one of the grittier parts of town.

I am trying to find "Venus Beauty Institute" to rent. I live in the New York City area and our local Blockbuster does not carry it. Any suggestions? Thanks.

<BR>you may rent it at Facets. There is an 800 number. I buy most of the films I own there when the price is reduced. They have an incredible inventory.

Mimi: Thanks -- I'm glad to know about this service.

Charlie Girl, you might also want to try a video rental place that carries a greater variety of little-known films than a Blockbuster outlet would. Venus Beauty Insitute was a charming film, but it was more of a chipbuster than a blockbuster. :~)

Topping for anon, etc.

amelie

For another film starring Audrey Tautou that is a little darker and more comedy/drama look for Happenstance. It was recently showing in So. Cal. so it may still be circulating. It was released in 2001, and is basically a little darker take on the same theme as Amelie. Both were enjoyable to me.

Tried to voice my opinion but this thread wouldn't pick up my message.<BR><BR>Anyway, my overall impression of "Amelie": was never THAT bored watching a French movie! Can't understand what others salivate about except a few Paris views.

I believe you have to look at it like a character study movie. Not much action, but a fine story.

I love France, but this film is not woth the attention. There are better flower/produce/ stands in Boston and there are much more charming restaurants in Paris than that one. Also what adoreable girl falls for a guy who rents porn movies and collects pictures from under the dirty 4 for a dollar picture booth at the subway stops. I did not think this movie made Paris look as fabulous as it really is.

There was an article in the LA Times on Tuesday about Amelie and how it has spurred an invasion of fans of the movie in Montmarte. Alot of the movie was set in the real restaurant Cafe des Deux Moulins on Lepic and Cauchois Streets, a block from Moulin Rouge. The grocery store is Chez Ali near Place Pigalle.

I thought Amelie to be a cute little amusing movie. Not sure why there's been such a hullabaloo over it. It was okay, not a great pic nor majorly memorable.

And that, in a nutshell, is what make the world go around. Some do some don't, some like and some dislike, etc.

Nancy~<BR><BR>You are correct, the cafe where she works (deux moulins) is on the rue Lepic, which just happens to be the street I live on Paris. <BR><BR>BTilke, I'm sorry that you feel the movie 'masked' the real Montmartre...I found the 'movie' itself ok-ayyyyyyy, but it was SO Montmartre, all I had to do was close my eyes, and I could hear the familiar sound of cars driving over the cobble stones (rrrrrrrrrr) and the bells of Sacre-Coeur ringing and in 2 seconds I was 'home'...the fruit stand is there, the 'actors' were mostly locals whom you see everyday on montmartre... but all films have to have some fantasy and clean up, n'est-ce pas?<BR><BR>The montmartois wonder what all the hub-bub is about the movie, but find the interest in other parts of Montmartre (than the Place de Tertre)charming and refreshing!<BR><BR>My friends who own the Gallerie Roussard on the Rue Mont Cenis, and I, took ten years to research a book we titled 'le dictionnaire' of Montmartre, where we identified and catalogued every fountain, church, building, vineyard, and major personality who lived there...with black and white photographs to boot. If you are interested in the 'real' history of Montmartre and read French well, and would like to see the way it 'was'...stop by the gallery and take a look! FYI: the gallery was the last place Edith Piaf ever sang, and it was the REAL 'Patachou'!!!!! (not the restaurant)<BR><BR>~Wendy~

I found it to be a fun, quirky movie and have recommended it to many friends who also loved it.<BR><BR>Nancy: Where did you find Happenstance playing in So Cal?

I think I saw it in Pasadena or Encino at one of the Laemmle Theatres. I dont think it is around any more. I have no idea where to rent recent foreign movies in the LA area, but it should be out pretty soon.