The performance that changed my life!

As part of Emma from http://zummer.blogspot.com/ s blogaothon on the performance that changed your life, i have written a small essay on my choice. The essay sucks and it's way too short but i thought id give it a go...

Audrey Tautou - Amelie

The first time I watched 'Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amelie Poulain' was a cold, dark night in my bedroom. I'd heard nothing but good things about the film and was curious to see if it lived up to the hype. Not only did it live up to it, the entire film had a profound effect on me (my screen name on EmpireOnline is Amelie_Scotland because of it), it became one of my all time favourite films (number 2) and introduced me to the absolute joy of Audrey Tautou.

Her character, the ever kooky and imaginative Amelie Poulain, could have come across as a creepy stalker with emotional issues (for example, the way she leads Nino around to give him his photo album back, or her breaking and entering into Collignon's house to mess with his head) but under the delightful skill of Ms Tautou, she is seen to be a simple girl who wants nothing more than to make the world a better place. The look of pure joy on her face as she leads a blind man down the street whilst describing the smallest details is a beautiful sight and makes Amelie impossible to hate.

The reason this performance changed my life is because, like Jack Nicholson said in 'As Good As It Gets', it made me want to be a better person. Amelie is so selfless it makes me feel like a bad human being, one who doesn't do enough to help others. And i don't. But everytime I watch this film, or look at my huge Amelie poster in my room, i get a sudden urge to go into the streets and help everybody. Nothing makes me feel as happy as I do after i watch this film. But even with it's beautiful direction, perfect cinematography and sublime music, it wouldn't be half as good without Audrey Tautou. With each movement she IS this character. The film is a simple story and Amelie is a simple character - a lonely girl with a ripe imagination searching for love and happiness - and Tautou doesn't complicate things. This is the role she was born to play. With that infectious smile, quirky haircut and wide eyed innocence, even when counting orgasms, Tautou grabs your hands and leads you on a beautiful journey through Montmartre and her ripe imagination. Without her, my life would be so much duller. Without Amelie, i wouldn't have discovered foriegn films, Jeunet or the beautiful Ms Tautou...you changed my life!