For those who have never seen a French film before, their first time may be a bit strange. Amelie, however, is a great place to start. The film is based upon the life of a young girl who plays the role of guardian angel, silently and anonymously guiding the lives of her friends, acquaintances, and even strangers.

When she finds a treasure chest of childhood memories in her bathroom, it inspires her to find the mysterious owner, wondering what effect it will have on him. When she sees the resulting change in the man's countenance, they both get a new lease on life. Amelie proceeds to play the silent hand leading to the happiness of others. However, her own life remains unchanged and lonely until an old friend gives her some wise advice.

Behind the story line, the theme of romance and love abound, perfect for the scenery of the most romantic city in the world, right? However, I believe the film's global success is in large part due to the unique way in which it portrays life, along with the universal hopes, dreams, and heartaches that people of all races, ages, and creeds can understand and be touched by.

Even for those who stand firmly against the thought of watching romance movies, Amelie will change the minds of many. Intrigue and suspense abound, and the mystery is enough to keep even the most skeptical movie watcher on the edge of his seat until film's end.