Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s AMÉLÍE is one of the most charming films of the new century
LA FABULEUX DESTIN d’AMÉLÍE POULAIN (Jean-Pierre Jeunet, 2001)
Nitehawk Cinema
136 Metropolitan Ave. between Berry St. & Wythe Ave.
Tuesday, March 19, $95, 7:30
718-384-3980
www.nitehawkcinema.com
La Fabuleux Destin d’Amélíe Poulain is already a treat for the eyes and ears, but now Williamsburg’s Nitehawk Cinema is making it special for the rest of the senses as well. In Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s wildly inventive romantic comedy, Audrey Tautou plays one of the most delightful, charming characters since, well, dare we say it? Audrey Hepburn, especially from Roman Holiday. Everybody in this film is nuts; Amélíe wanders — always with some strange, curious purpose — through offbeat and humorous situations filled with obsessive-compulsive oddballs doing bizarre things while sharing their crazy likes and dislikes with the audience. A difficult childhood left the grown-up Amélíe unable to interact “normally” with people, so when she discovers a boy’s treasure box hidden in her apartment, she decides to track down the owner, leading to a series of very complex and emotional good deeds she does for others while she cannot figure out her own life, which undergoes a major change when she meets Nino (Mathieu Kassovitz) — who collects ripped-up pictures people throw out after using public photo booths — and becomes friendly with the Glass Man (Serge Merlin), who cannot go outside because his bones are too brittle, so he remains in his apartment, copying the same Renoir painting year after year, unable to capture one girl’s face properly. Jeunet’s (Delicatessen, The City of Lost Children) aural and visual style is reminiscent of such Coen brothers films as Raising Arizona, with fast-moving shots, sudden close-ups, and blasts of sound that enliven this masterful film. Amélíe will be shown at Nitehawk as part of its second Film Feast, accompanied by a traditional French menu prepared by Chef Sara Nguyen, with drink pairings courtesy of Pernod Absinthe. The first course includes Croque Madame, Gruyere, Farm Egg, Mushroom, and Black Truffle; the second Pork Rillete, Apple Mustard, Curry Aioli, and Baguette; the third Mussels, Fennel, Sausage, and Absinthe; the fourth Crepe, Duck Confit, Orange, Crème Fraiche, and Radish; and, for dessert, Angel Food Cake, Plum Jam, and Absinthe Cream. In addition, the screening will be preceded by a free Fluent City French slang workshop at 7:00.