Amélie Theme of Awe and Amazement

Who wouldn't be amazed living in Paris every day? Visiting the Sacré Cœur Basilica or having coffee and a baguette at your favorite café? Sign us up. Watching Amélie makes you want to hightail it to Travelocity (gnome alert) and book a trip right away.

Of course, you don't have to go to Paris to find awe-inspiring sights in the world. Amélie knows that she doesn't have to even leave her neighborhood to find something amazing—though she learns that if she steps outside of her comfort zone, she might discover more than she ever imagined.

Questions about Awe and Amazement

  1. What do each character's small pleasures tell you about that character's personality? Does everyone find joy in everyday life the way Amélie does?
  2. What happens to Amélie that makes her want more out of life? Does she continue to have the same appreciation for small details at the end of the movie that she has at the beginning?
  3. How does Amélie change the way some people see the world? Does she change the way you see the world?

Chew on This

Take a peek at these thesis statements. Agree or disagree?

Amélie is forced to cultivate a love for simple things because she really has nothing else, growing up the way she does. It's her way of staying sane.

If Amélie weren't amazed by seemingly mundane things, she wouldn't do good deeds for other people. She'd be too focused on finding things to entertain herself, instead of looking after others.