Yes, the movie has Audrey Tautou and is masterfully directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, but it is NOT Amelie! Based on the novel by Sebastien Japrisot, it does a very good job of recreating that very complex novel. I took one point off for the fact that it has too much the look of a Hollywood production (Warner Bros. ) of what should have remained a very French story.

9/10
lynaka@ - first review
17.9.2005 - age: 36-49

This film was a chance to improve my french and help me learn... it was much more than that. I took my non-french speaking best friend and he loved it more than I did. A film that has an impact worldwide as the story is not about the war in france but the stuggle of the réalisation that someone you love is lost and can never be found. The humour was gloriously dark and the filming incredibly artistic. A great and inspiring film, one that deserves the recognition it receives.

10/10
hello_ashleigh_jones@ - first review
13.4.2005 - age: 13-17

Wonderful movie, and for somenone like me who grew up in Belgium and left at 17, it totally resonated within me. This movie really protrayed the horror and the madness of trench-warfare... The attention to detail was phenomenal, truly a feast for the eyes.

10/10
norman_haerens@ - 3 reviews
5.2.2005 - age: 36-49

I was touched deeply by romantic story and very impressed by battle scenes. There's not too many movies about World War I and I loved its Gallic humor as well. Very good movie, highly recommended!

10/10
arts48@ - 16 reviews
3.2.2005 - age: 36-49

Beautiful, amazing, lovely! I loved it!

9/10
blueingreen8@ - 4 reviews
28.1.2005 - age: 18-25

I start by admitting that I love Amelie more, but this is still a triumph of Jean-Pierre. While Amelie gives her own example of how to love life, this one simply tells you the joy of living. The ending made my eyes puffy for two days. It is, again, a classic theme with beautiful execution, although this time it is harder to impress audiences with the bar that Amelie set so high. (P. S My husband, who is French, said that Jodie Foster speaks excellent French without accent)

9/10
pla_hon@ - first review
28.1.2005 - age: 26-35

[...] I think the movie was maybe slightly Avon guard and a bit artsy but it was really not much more than a beautifully constructed romance, with brilliant direction and photography, Was it the subtitles that were a challenge?

10/10
dangogh@ - 6 reviews
19.1.2005 - age: 50+

Great work again by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, however, the music is not as good as in Amelie, and that made a difference. I was very very impressed by Jodie Foster's French. My wife, who is French, said that she doesn't even have an accent. The images and the style are very similar to Amelie, although the story is quite more complicated. Worth your money.

9/10
eresc79@ - 23 reviews
18.1.2005 - age: 18-25

Full of clichés and pseudo-philosophical connotations. Jeunet is getting visibly desperate with his lack of good ideas. This movie may please older viewers that are into philosophy and like to waste their time on a deep analysis of their destiny. Other than these people it’s not recommended to anyone else..

2/10
hombresvic@ - 5 reviews
17.1.2005 - age: 18-25

One of the best movies I've seen this year. Jeunet is at his best. A dark version of Amelie. More mature, deeper. A esthetically beautiful, amazing work on recreating the atmosphere of the beginning of the century.

10/10
bbourgeo@ - 2 reviews
15.1.2005 - age: 18-25

The love part is very sweet but the war reminds me of today, and unfortunately, of tomorrow.

8/10
black.jack@ - 464 reviews
13.1.2005 - age: 36-49

Great movie, great visual, great acting. Story is a little bit complicated by the fact that some of the supporting characters looks too much alike. Regardless it was emotional and funny at the same time. You will have a good time.

9/10
thelongbui@ - 16 reviews
7.1.2005 - age: 26-35

Such a wonderful, and beautiful movie. Very well done, I highly recomend it. The war scenes are realistic, and the love story is tear-jerking... I loved it.

10/10
cheddah79@ - first review
7.1.2005 - age: 13-17

[ATTENTION: This review reveals content of the movie.]
An infinitely complex emotional film that beautifully weaves several lives together by one young woman's search for that follows her heart and continues to believe her fiancee is alive. Intensity with whimsical moments, this is a movie that will captivate the audience and leave them with a feeling of hope despite the untidy ending (no happily ever after conclusion here)

10/10
moakes@ - 4 reviews
7.1.2005 - age: 26-35

This movie is a real masterpiece, that shows emotions on different levels and where the past and the present intertwine. Audrey Tautou is a great actress and even if the subject of the movie wouldn't have been interesting, her acting is worth seeing.

10/10
barza_varza@ - 2 reviews
4.1.2005 - age: 18-25

More substantial than Amelie. Succeeds as a great love story, as a detective yarn, as a revenge tragedy and an anti-war film-at least of the kind of cynical war that was WWI, which squandered human lives to no good end and which led to WW II. Superb cinematography.

10/10
johnrbell@ - 5 reviews
2.1.2005 - age: 50+

A breath-taking, intelligent, complex film with multiple layers that reflects the reality of human life both during the war in the years after. This is not a movie for people that like to categorize everything into little boxes, I. E., "war drama", "romance", "satire", or "thriller". To me, this is a merit, not a fault. I'd say this is the best film of the year.

10/10
vaidilute@ - 11 reviews
30.12.2004 - age: 26-35

I really feel I need to put my two cents in about this movie. I agree w cmiller02 on a lot of points. This movie was half romance half love story and neither one was really strong enough to keep me interested. Her struggle to find her love was long and confused, no one I knew seemed to be able to keep track and there was virtually no attatchment to any of the characters. The quirkiness of the film reflected that of Amelie, but it didn't seem to fit. I think what happened here is that ppl are seeing what they expected to see-something good- from the director of the excellent Amelie, instead of seeing what's realy there: a story that's too hard to follow and ends up being just boring. I dont see what all the fuss is about.

5/10
catinthehat@ - first review
30.12.2004 - age: 18-25

I really enjoyed the movie. It's like a detective movie set during WW1. The plot, designs, filming and acting were all very good. It's also a fine war movie. I don't recall many WW1 movies out there. It was very realistic and I liked the fact it did not glorify war or demonize the enemy.

9/10
solapormi@ - 8 reviews
30.12.2004 - age: 18-25

Jean-Pierre Jeunet is lauded for the beauty of his film settings and photographic images. Yet for me the lasting impressions are of the adjacent audio be it of simple footsteps, birds singing by the roadside, or a bicycle stopping on gravel. A top-notch film..

10/10
cotisation@ - first review
30.12.2004 - age: 26-35

I thought this was the best film I have seen in a number of years. On paper this film had everything I look for, such as: complexity, intrigue, satire. I didn't expect much since WWI is such a serious subject and Jeunet has recently dealt with lighter material - but was spellbound by the script, performances and cinematography.

10/10
nzbetaman@ - first review
29.12.2004 - age: 26-35

I am a huge fan of Audrey Tatou and the director of this movie... ever since Amelie I have been hooked so I knew that as soon as this came out I would HAVE TO SEE IT! It was an excellent movie... but being squimish I had to look away from the screen many times... very complex plot and beautifully put together with a bit of Amelie humour... But I also wish there was more romance in this one and I was quite sad throughout the whole thing.

8/10
stinkhound@ - 6 reviews
28.12.2004 - age: 13-17

Well, it's not a masterpiece. Why do film directors feel the need each time to put humour in films, it doesn't always work. What could be a serious film, becomes light entertainment. What saves the film is the photography, and the computer graphics.

7/10
info@ - 48 reviews
27.12.2004 - age: 50+

Excellent narrative film, beautifully shot and acted. World War I scenes convey the horror of the "war to end all wars." It was if "Gone With the Wind" had been scripted by Agatha Christie.

10/10
robert.waite@ - 3 reviews
27.12.2004 - age: 50+

While this movie had it's merits, it was a disappointing follow-up to the wonderful Amelie. Jean tried at times to create the humour and cuteness that Amelie embraced so well but fell short every time. You cannot show graphic images of war and violence and then in the next scene expect the viewer to laugh at some silly pun. The plot was very confusing to follow and I understand french... I couldn't imagine if a person had to read the subtitles and try to figure out what was going on. It was very difficult to feel anything for any of the characters and get wrapped up in the whole romance that was supposed to be a big part of the movie. The soundtrack that was barely noticeable added somewhat to certain scenes but just did not do it like this Directors last film. I would recommend waiting till this one comes out on video, you won't be as disappointed sending $5.00.

5/10
cmiller02@ - 2 reviews
27.12.2004 - age: 36-49

Jeunet does a good job with this film. I still think Amelie is a superior film. I like how he protray the absurdity of war and the actions of government and officials pursuing the war. I think though a film like the English patient does a better job of exploring war and the effects on individual soldiers and their loved ones. ? I could be wrong but I think Juienet talants lie in exploring the everyday lives of ordinary French people in a context where humour can be used on a masive scale as in Amelie. In a film on war, his humour needed to be subtle due to the pain and suffering of the people... a good effort but I rank this behind Amelie and Delicatessan (definitely spelt wrong:))

7/10
netalwins@ - first review
25.12.2004 - age: 36-49

The storyline of the movie is very good though sometimes it is quite possible to lose the trail. The moral and the themes are excellent. The best presentation of the First World War ever made. One can really understand why it's called " La Grande Guerre" and why people at the time never wanted war again.

10/10
twilight.axis@ - first review
24.12.2004 - age: 18-25

No one laughed. All you feel is that they tried sooo hard to make it funny. They tried to fill the movie with slap stick scenes and events but they ALWAYS MISSED THE FUNNY BONE!!! I am a professional teacher and view many movies but this is one of the worst I have seen for quite some time. Even the kids will BOO this one..

1/10
charlot1500@ - 3 reviews
23.12.2004 - age: 50+

Yes, Jodie Foster can speak French with almost no accent... she usually dubs her own movies in French too. ;-) Glorious, charming movie, as expected! I'm not going to spoil the effects: I suggest going to see it... reading and hearing as little beforehand as possible. [...]

10/10
malisha999@ - 2 reviews
23.12.2004 - age: 36-49

I like French movies and this one is one of the best that I have seen.

10/10
lolua@ - first review
21.12.2004 - age: 26-35

WOW... Just wow. While this movie doesn't have the charm and cuteness of Amelie on the surface, it's far more powerful. It's full of surprises, lush landscapes, a very strong love story that carries Mathilde through her adventure ; it's an emotionnal quest. She wants to find the truth, which sometimes is obvious, yet, she is full of hope. And that's what the audience leaves the theater with: hope. The movie has the intensity of Saving Private Ryan and the romance of Cold Mountain (but dare I say it, I prefer the romance of A Very Long Engagement, because Audrey Tautou is natural and made me sympathize with the character, more than Nicole Kidman's character) It also plays with the ideas of destiny and coincidence with each other's life like in Amelie. The cinematography is what has become Jeunet's signature. The music was also very good. All in all, this is my TOP 1 movie of the year.

10/10
jl_mcgill@ - first review
21.12.2004 - age: 18-25

Simply fabulous. I don't usually like French films but this one is a masterpiece. Tautou puts in a wonderful performance. I was surpised to see Jodie Foster, who put in a brief but strong performance. Excellent cinematography and directing. Excellent story-telling and good pace that made the film seem much shorter than its two hours and 23 minutes.

10/10
codogno@ - 225 reviews
20.12.2004 - age: 36-49

Jean-Pierre Jeunet is lauded for the beauty of his film settings and photographic images. Yet for me the lasting impressions are of the adjacent audio be it of simple footsteps, birds singing by the roadside, or a bicycle stopping on gravel. A top-notch film.

8/10
mj_brown@ - 84 reviews
19.12.2004 - age: 50+

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