1. Amelie (2000, France)
AKA: Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain Amelie is a beautiful young French woman who makes it her life ambition to make other peoples lives as happy as possible. In her mind it seems unfair that she should be so happy while others she notices around her are struggling to find the same peace of mind. But Amelie is not as complete as she believes as her quest to help others unearths a desire within herself and sets out to find a love all of her own. But don't be fooled by Amelie's charm. She isn't all that she seems. There's a malevolence behind those eyes - just think for a moment about the things she actually does. She stalks people and plays puppet master with their lives. Are those the actions of a normal person? And just like the character the film has hidden depths too that will take you by surprise with each new viewing. Heart warming, touching, moving - all of these are words you could use to describe Amelie but I find the easiest one is simply 'flawless'. If Amelie doesn't warm your cockles then you must have cockles of stone my friends. It is a beautifully written, perfectly performed and sumptuously scored masterpiece and this is why I consider it to be the number 1 World Cinema film you simply must see before you die.