Little Amélie or the Character of Rain doesn’t dumb down the harshness of change and loss. Yet the philosophical toddler who narrates your journey speaks in ways that make her complex perspective of this new world accessible and understandable.
The film is about the power of wonder in childhood and the selfish idealism of a young being who remains nurtured in a thorny world — where discovery and pain are always lurking. Amélie sees herself as god-like as she’s gifted with constant miracles like language, seasons, and weather. Her all-knowingness (relatable to parents with toddlers) keeps her emotionally distant from her family until she connects with granny and, later, a nanny.
Part of her disconnect is caused by where she is and who she is. Amélie is the daughter of a Belgian diplomat born into post-war Japan. She sees herself as Japanese and connects to the Japanese home and garden that make up her world. Through her maturation, which includes a joyful montage that focuses mostly on food, she begins to see the world as bigger than the garden she’s known her whole (three-year) life.
Little Amélie or the Character of Rain applies a little extra tension with a running theme about the impact of war on culture, honor, and family years after fighting ended. This is especially evident in how different generations handle that impact. But it never gets too tense and everyone shows that they are capable of growth, no matter their age.
The animation utilizes 2D digital graphics to magnificently emulate the pencil and watercolor designs the art style is based on. The colors of flowers. The layering of leaves. The details on a ladybug. They grab a hold of your eyes and don’t let go.
You don’t need to sip on a strong brew to get pulled in by this film. You may need a hanky to wipe away tears as you watch an all-knowing toddler finally accept her place in her world and her family.
🎬🎬🎬
Where to watch
Rating: PG (Me: 5+)
Director: Maïlys Vallade, Liane-Cho Han
Starring: Lily Gilliam, Francesca Calo, Jayne Taini
Run time: 1h 18m
Post-credits scenes: No
Sequel? No
If you liked Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw, check out these films:
- Mirai (2018) (5+)
- Only Yesterday (1991) (6+)
- My Life as a Zucchini (2016) (8+)
- Ernest & Celestine (2012) (7+)
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Find this title on the Family Film Recommendations list
