'Amelie'

By far, one of my favorite movies of the past decade or so. I love everything about it. The direction, cinematography (underrated), the characters, the actors playing those characters, the remarkable story, the nuances and subtleties.

I love the beginning credits, the closing credits. I love everything in between.

Jean-Pierre Jeunet has made 11 films in his career and only two since releasing Amelie in 2001, which includes the remarkable A Very Long Engagement.

There is no more of a talented guy in filmmaking today and this goes for whatever big-budget, box-office busting director that you want to throw out there. None.

It's said that imagination is needed for art. Sometimes I doubt very seriously that any modern filmmaker has any imagination whatsoever whereas Jeunet has more than enough for everyone.

This imagination and full capability of endearing a series of characters (even the mean ones) to the audience is quite the accomplishment. When Dominique Bretodeau is shown at the end of the film carving a freshly roasted chicken with his estranged grandson, it is impossible not to feel really happy. And what role does Bretodeau have in the film? A footnote. Five minutes of Amelie finding this childhood keepsake, returning it to him and then him having verbalize his epiphany at the bar counter.

He's a nothing character. Yet, all we wanted was for him to be as happy as you possibly can be.

This is Jeunet. I dare you to watch any of his films and not feel a groundswell of empathy for the protagonists in his stories. Not to be charmed by their quirks and personalities. Not to be completely reaffirmed by their actions and attitudes.