Surrealism was born in France, so it's not really that surprising that everyone in Amélie seems to be a little out of orbit from the rest of us. All the characters are a little kooky, and they wear their quirkiness on their sleeves. Amélie surrounds herself with a loveable bunch of weirdoes, and when everyone is just a little offbeat, it sort of makes them all seem normal, after all.
Questions about Versions of Reality
- In what ways does Amélie's imagination manifest itself? Does her daydreaming enhance her life or detract from it?
- Do Nino and Amélie see the world in similar ways? How do they view it?
- What other characters seem to operate in a version of reality just outside the norm?
Chew on This
Take a peek at these thesis statements. Agree or disagree?
Amélie has a unique view of the world, and her good deeds make other people see the world the way she sees it.
Jean-Pierre Jeunet's version of Paris is an idolized fantasy version of it. It's the romantic ideal many people envision it to be, but it has nothing to do with the "real" Paris.