This film is a masterpiece like Jeunet's earlier Amelie (which may be considered by some as better because it is funnier than this film). However, this film, with its horrific battle scenes, violent injuries and dramatic romance, is also filled with a tremendous amount of humour and pathos. Jeunet understands that life is really a balance of drama and comedy... The cinematography, story, acting, directing, effects, costuming, sets, etc. are all phenomenal works of art to watch. My only complaint was that I got a bit lost with all the character names but I had to (and wanted to) watch it twice because my French isn't good enough to watch it without English subtitles.

This is precisely the kind of situation that makes me want to write movie reviews. A strong word of advice to whomever may read this prior to watching "A Very Long Engagement," ridiculous as this may seem, take notes when you watch this movie…espeeeeecially during the first 15 minutes. I am not exaggerating when I say that there are about 20 different characters whose stories are all intertwined, and if you are to connect the dots you need to remember which names are associated with which characters, and unless you have had a great deal of exposure to French names then most of the names will feel foreign to you which will only exacerbate your inability to keep track of who is whom. Furthermore, almost all the men have facial hair and military uniforms, so that makes it even hard to remember which one is which.I know, it sounds extreme, but watch it with enough light in the room to take notes, jot down what names are associated with which professions, who had the German boots, whose girlfriend is whose, etc. If I were to criticize this movie I would criticize it for having an excessively complex plot (note that I am not). I am just promising you that you will indubitably enjoy this movie more if you keep up with the story and its intricate spider-web of characters, professions, relationships, assassinations, etcetera, aaaaaaand you are certainly going to follow better (at least enough to not get lost half way through) if you take notes. I finally stopped and started over after an hour because I just couldn't keep track of to which characters they were referring every few minutes. If you heed my council and take notes, one hour into it you will be studying them to make sure you are understanding, and you will thank me and never doubt my advice again. I loved this movie.

This is by far the best French movie I have seen so far. Jean-Pierre Jeunet has delivered pure magic for the audience here. His nifty direction has done it again and of course what a dandy leading lady as an actress he has. Audrey Tautou is a very talented star indeed. She completely captures the character of Mathilde and grooves herself into it. She literally carries the entire movie on her own. It really shows her total devotion to the role. A superb blend of romance and a teasing mystery in the plot wraps up the magical show. Even with English subs, you won't have a chance of missing out on almost anything if you watch Tautou the whole time during the movie. She will make you understand the movie both in acting as well as in her words. Her performance in Amelie was exquisite also. Jodie Foster shines in her little cameo as always. You shouldn't miss out on this one. This movie has surpassed one of my favorites Tell No One of 2006.

I'm pretty hard to please when it comes to film so I am so pleased that French cinema exists. I just can't even watch Hollywood films anymore. They are even contriving 'indie' films now, and the soul has been relentlessly driven out of everything that issues forth so that the best of it is just not too trite and sentimental. When a French film is sentimental it actually brings tears to your eyes. This film is about a lot of things; the imagined innocence of childhood; the reality of growing up; the kindness of strangers; the tragedy and pain of happiness ripped away. We peep over the shoulder of our protagonist, praying for her hopes to be realised but wanting to say to her 'I'm sorry my little one, so sorry ,but life must go on' In the midst of it all, the barbarity and corruption of War-its utter pointlessness and criminality. We see the damage it does to all the humans involved; there are no heroes involved, just real human lives being torn to shreds. And what else? Ah yes. Poignancy, humour and life.