This makes my list for being the best foreign language film of the year. Every year it seems there is one foreign language film that captures the hearts and imaginations of Americans and this year it was definitely Amelie. Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Amelie is the story of a young French woman who suddenly becomes inspired to go around Paris doing good deeds for others. The major arch of the story involves a young man she falls in love with after returning his lost photo album, but the real charm of this movie doesn’t come from the story. Amelie has such a distinctive style and character to it that we immediately are charmed off our feet, as if we had traveled to the imaginary, utopian Paris that the story takes place in. The camera work is totally uncharacteristic of a romantic comedy with totally original and often bizarre shots and camera moves. It is very refreshing to see a romantic comedy that is not afraid to get a little visually inventive and I have to say that although I am not usually a fan of romantic comedy, I enjoyed this movie probably more than any movie I saw in 2001. It may not have been the most thought-provoking movie and it may not have been the best writing you will ever see but the sheer personality and charm this film has will endear it to any movie lover and certainly makes it one of the best movies of the year.