Whimsical Self Discovery!! Excellent Film!
The character, Amelie (Audrey Tautou), is from a loveless childhood, and may as well be invisible to all. She spends the entire movie going through life as if she were in a film, watching from the outside, having had an odd and painful childhood due to the very strange death of her mother.
The movie with its whimsical french humor leaves you wondering if she will ever find love as it provides clues to the outcome in subtle ways. In addition, she uses some extremely humorous tactics to revive her couch potato father's zest for life (involving a garden gnome).
It is a beautiful story, fit for for foreign film lovers and those who have never seen any. A knowledge of the french language does help in catching some sarcastic, offhanded comments made throughout the movie - but, if you don't speak, you are not going to miss that much.
To say anymore would take away the joy of watching this incredible film. It is among the best films (foreign or domestic) I have seen. I would recommend it for everyone.