I loved this film for all the reasons people say they love this film (e.g., the colors, the quirky characters, the inspirational tone.) I also think it gives depth and originality to the topic of romance which is so overdone. But there was a sad side to this movie as well.
Amelie has struggled all her life feeling like an outsider. In fact, all the characters are tormented by inner pain and demons—even if some of them we get to know and understand little.
Amelie tries to help because she recognizes others’ pain and one day sees she can be an instrument in changing that—something she had never considered before. In the end, some of her “help” sticks, some does not, and for others we just don’t know if it’s made any difference—but to read this film as just uplifting, without recognizing the underlying message of human alienation is to somewhat miss the point.
It’s just too bad, people aren’t so simple and transparent in real life. It would be much easier for us all to help one another.