Amelie-Evaluation

The set/locations in which the movie Amelie takes place are mainly limited to three sets: an apartment complex, a train station and a small cafe'. The sets are limited as to not distract from the already quirky characteristics of the primary characters but to reflect upon those characteristics. The setting gives us an idea of how the characters live their lives and how the Conflict interrupts the very scheduled atmosphere, the same day-after-day attitude in Amelie's life.

I feel the train station location was chosen specifically for how train stations tend to contain a wide variety of passer-bys. It is an ideal place for Amelie to meet someone by chance yet someone who could be considered her soul mate. Amelies apartment was also chosen as an ideal location as it represents, pretty much, all who Amelie is. The colors used, furniture, lamps and other items distinguish Amelie's quiet silliness.

The costumes chosen reflect a very ordinary, but not frumpy, individual. She is classic like Audrey Hepburn, clean but not diva. The director has allowed us to see Amelie as a very likeable individual, someone whose appearance we would hope our daughters would mimic. The costumes chosen were very liveable and the actors seemed comfortable in who they were and the character they portrayed.

The lighting for the movie was more Harsh & Direct than it was Soft & Diffused. I would consider it High Key Lighting. Every scene seemed to be brighter than what natural light could provide, less shadows than what would occur in our natural world. THe director was, by lighting the movie in the manner it was lit, enforcing a statment of semi-fantasy, a story somewhat believable yet on the brink of unbelievable. The light was so dramatic that it effectively achieved the element of giddiness, gaiety in which the onlooker wants to participate, maybe step into the scene.