Times Are Hard For Dreamers

I daresay there is no other movie quite as charming as Amélie. It’s odd, relatable, and whimsical in the most satisfying way. When I need a pick-me-up flick, or want to hunker down with a cuppa tea and a cozy blanket, Amélie is my go-to movie.

Taking the cinema by storm in 2001, this French film surprised many and has gained a cult following in the twenty years since its release. Boasting an original soundtrack by Yann Tiersen, and starring the inimitable Audrey Tautou, Amélie is full of the quirky, almost surreal, characteristics that makes French cinema so likeable and unique. It’s a smorgasbord of small pleasures.

Haven’t seen it but I’ve piqued your interest? Amélie tells the story of a shy, twenty-something Parisian who, after finding and returning a beloved treasure to its rightful owner, becomes inspired to course-correct the lives of those closest to her, imbuing their existence with joy, romance, laughter, and hope. In the process, she develops an infatuation with a curious man after he becomes the subject of one of her do-good missions. If you have a penchant for peculiar leading characters, you must watch it!

Romantic comedies are the perfect genre. They’re like a hug for your soul, medicine for your heart. If you adored Amélie, and find yourself in the mood for another rom-com with a generous helping of French flair and a hint of magical realism, you may just love these other two suggestions. Not sure which one to start with? I’ve created a handy flow chart to help you choose.

Option 1: Midnight in Paris

Gil Pender, played by Owen Wilson, is a dispirited Hollywood screenwriter and struggling novelist who, while vacationing in Paris, finds inspiration and love in unexpected places. Whilst strolling through the cobbled streets of France’s capital at midnight, Gil is unexpectedly swept up into the roaring nightlife of 1920’s Paris and crosses paths with literary greats like Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein. Through navigating this ideal yet bizarre scenario, Gil is faced with the question is the past really the good ol' days or simply Golden Age thinking?

This film is a joy to watch, not only because of the drool-worthy scenery, but for the comfort it brings to anyone who has ever wished they could experience life in another time period. The soundtrack is top drawer, peppered with jazz standards and romantic French ballads that’ll have you wanting to don your finest striped shirt and eat an entire baguette by yourself.

There’s a similarity in the main characters of Amélie and Midnight In Paris that I find refreshing: a deep vulnerability. Both Amélie and Gil have a dream of how things could be better for themselves, but deal with the inner turmoil of having to leave their comfort zones in order to reach that happier place. Both are prone to flights of fancy, but they each have such an infectious belief in their imaginings that you can’t help but root for them to succeed.

Option 2: Jeux d’enfants (English title: Love Me If You Dare)

Starring France’s favourite real-life couple, Marion Cotillard and Guillaume Canet, Jeux d’enfants tells the story of two friends who embark on a high-stakes game of dares, which sees them through childhood to the messiness of adulthood. Surprises at every turn and an unpredictable ending result in an hour and half’s worth of adventure and laughs.

Now, if you, like me, are not a fluent French speaker and will rely on subtitles for viewing, you’re probably thinking, Lauren, if I wanted to read, I’d pick up a book. Hear me out: give it ten minutes, and then you can decide from there if you want to continue watching. I am willing to bet that after the first ten minutes, you’ll be so caught up in the story, you’ll forget that you’re even reading along. Plus, you may even start to pick up the language. C’est formidable!

This story circles around the ever-changing dynamic between the two protagonists, Sophie and Julien. A small tin, decorated to look like a carousel, becomes an instrument of power when in their possession, enticing the two friends to constantly one up each other in their game, no matter the sacrifice. This movie has it all: tension, romance, humour, anticipation, surprise, originality, and so much more.

The cinematography of Jeux d’enfants is reminiscent of Amélie. Artfully crafted with an almost old-timey feel, the attention to composition really brings this story to life in a beautiful way.

Bonus content: Both selections pair well with a glass of chardonnay and a bowl of buttery popcorn. Enjoy!