ANNECY 2025: Little Amélie or the Character of Rain – Review
Based on the novel “Métaphysique des tubes” by Amélie Nothomb, our film centres around a toddler, born to her Belgian parents in Japan. After over two years in a vegetative state she suddenly awakens to the world around her. Her tempestuous arrival is calmed by her doting Granny, who soothes her with a piece of Belgian chocolate. Imbued with the instant ability to speak, walk and talk although her previous years had not been spent dormant, young Amélie is convinced that she is a god.
LITTLE AMÉLIE © Maybe Movies, Ikki Films, 2 Minutes, France 3 Cinéma, Puffin Pictures, 22D Music
Amélie narrates the tale so that we discover the world through her, and with it the challenges of life, death, love and belonging – all complex and nuanced topics for a toddler but presented in a way that embraces the audience in an empathetic blend of pitch perfect sequences that carry the story forward. Though a film about a child, it should not be labelled as a children’s film as the drama creates moments of heart pounding tension where you imagine the cruelty of grief has led to a drastic choices by some characters.
LITTLE AMÉLIE © Maybe Movies, Ikki Films, 2 Minutes, France 3 Cinéma, Puffin Pictures, 22D Music
As our hero grows and forms a bond with Nishio-San, who has been assigned by stern landlady Kashima-San to care for the house, Amélie comes to understand the world around her and the major changes that will challenge her perspective of the world.
And what a world she inhabits, rendered beautifully by directors Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han. Adopting a similar style to Rémi Chayé (who worked on this film), the visuals remind the audience of Long Way North or Calamity, but an evolution of those that gives the directing duo their own distinction, diving into surrealism and fantasy as well as enjoying the spectacle of nature. There is a beautiful sequence where Amélie captures the essence of the seaside within a glass jar, and it feels although the directors have managed to do the same by presenting a synaesthetic masterclass of visuals. Lighting plays a huge roll in this film as the flat, pastel colours are caressed by bold light that adds shape to the characters and sprinkles vivid purples, turquoises and reds throughout the landscape to deliver a film that feels like it has been crafted rather than simply made.
LITTLE AMÉLIE © Maybe Movies, Ikki Films, 2 Minutes, France 3 Cinéma, Puffin Pictures, 22D Music
Little Amélie or the Character of Rain reminds us to enjoy life in spite of the challenges it presents and to find the joy in being present, hypnotising its audience with its masterful command of imagery, a tender soundtrack and wonderful storytelling. It is simply gorgeous.