MovieChat Forums > Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain (2002) Discussion > Don't get how this is considered one of ...

Don't get how this is considered one of the greatest foreign films

posted 11 years ago by seahawk3133
35 replies | jump to latest

I'm not trying to start a thread on bashing Amelie. I watched it, was intrigued with the idea and would recommend it to anyone who hasn't watched it yet.

I just don't get how this is considered one of the greatest foreign films ever. Why is it so well considered? Or is it the cool thing to claim it is an all-time great?

I've only seen about 25 foreign films and Amelie wouldn't make my top 10. Films like M, Seven Samurai & The 400 Blows are greats, not Amelie

7/10

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] htdavidht 10 years ago

At least you can say it is on your list of top 25 foreign films, lol.

[–] lynyrdskynyrd 10 years ago

Just rewatched it and it's one of the best movies I've ever seen!

[–] fabriciocorrea 10 years ago

I think you were respectful about "not wanting to bash" the movie in question. I also think you have a preference for more crime related films. I agree with you about "M" and "The 400 blows".

Back to "Amelie", the movie is simply an achievement in filmmaking history. It resembles the palette of "The double life of Veronique", though it's infused with more vivid and warm imagery. I disagree that it's not a "profound" movie just because it's an uplifting story. "Life is beautiful" is an uplifting movie but not as grand as "Amelie", not by far.

Unfortunately, a lot of directors are overrated, such as: Stanley Kubrick. BUT...again, the movies Kubrick directed were violent, so it's okay. Kubrick, to me, was a great "photographer", though as a director he was a huge flop.

Sorry for changing subject. Did so, though, to illustrate that not always are the right people praised for their achievements.

"Amelie" is just phenomenal!

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] FryHigh 10 years ago

Those of us that loved this movie are probably fans of director Jean-Pierre Jeunet. I know I am, as I love every single film he's made.

[–] FilmMuscle 10 years ago

At first, I nodded my head along with your comments about it not being one of the greatest foreign films, but then you mentioned that M and Seven Samurai were somehow better than Amelie...Those were far less compelling and memorable than Amelie.

[–] SloppyJ30 10 years ago

Let's face it; film buffs give extra credit to "old" movies just like teenagers favor the brand new. I'm not even saying it's wrong to do so -- I have a hard time calling any new film a "classic," as that term implies a piece that holds up over decades. There's no reliable way to speed this process up. Do they age like wine or milk?

I have never sat down and thought through a list of my top 50 or top 100 films, but M, Seven Samurai would be there somewhere, and Amelie would at least be in consideration. My only constant is at number one, which is hinted at by my sig line.

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I have meddled with the primal forces of nature and I will atone.

[–] PsychoDingo 10 years ago

it is everything that American moviegoers want in a film, other than spoken English, thus is is tremendously appealing to a large audience

and it's a great comedy that looks really nice and features excellent camera work

is it a work of cinema art at the level of Valerie and Her Week of Wonders? of course not, but Valerie isn't the film that the masses are looking for, and so Amélie gets a lot more love

Surreal Cinema: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls006574276/