A Very Long Engagement (2004) - ★★★★½

Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Writer: Guillaume Laurant, Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Stars: Audrey Tautou, Gaspard Ulliel, Marion Cotillard, Jodie Foster, Dominique Pinon

A Very Long Engagement is an absolutely beautiful film. Everything about it captivated me, from the horrors of war to the stubbornness of young lovers. Jean-Pierre Jeunet is most famous for his film Amelie, but in many ways this is his best work. Every single performance was stunning, surprising, and full of depth. Jeunet managed to combine romance and magic with the horrifying tragedy of WW1. It's quite a long film, yet it never loses sight of its purpose, which is the quest to find a loved one. You won't find many films as gorgeous and poignant as this one.

Amelie (2001) - ★★★★★

Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Writers: Guillaume Laurant, Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Screenplay)
Stars: Audrey Tautou, Matthieu Kassovitz, Jamel Debbouze, Serge Merlin

Amelie takes you to a world you wish you could be with characters you wish you knew. It's clever, funny, sweet and always intriguing. From the very first scene it sucks you into a magical, romantic France. This is one of those movies where you catch yourself grinning like an idiot over and over. It's perfect in its own quirky little way.