“Little Amélie or the Character of Rain” is a sweet, hand-drawn French animated feature based on author Amélie Nothomb’s 2000 novel. The central perspective is that of a young Belgian girl, who was born in Japan in the late ‘60s, and is about to turn three years old. This is a life-changing time for Amélie, as she and her family discover.
The opening section is a bit overwhelming, with a grand presentation of Amélie’s birth and unique commentary on the early months of a child’s life. When the film ends, and all is revealed, you’ll look at the first act anew.
There’s a lot to like about “Little Amélie”, from the gorgeous, painting-esque 2D look, to the title character’s sense of curiosity, to some heavy, effective subject matter in the final act. At the core is the relationship between Amélie and her nanny, Nishio-san. If you know caretakers and/or family members who have taken-on this role in a young one’s life, you’ll find this storyline especially moving.
Over a relatively short span, “Little Amélie” presents fun moments, but just as often heartbreaking and heartwarming ones, which may hit close to home. This is a pretty and pretty sophisticated animated film that’s among the best of the year.
LCJ GRADE: B+
Running Time: 78 min.