Micmacs

From the fertile mind of writer/director Jean-Pierre Jeunet comes this wonderful new film. Mr. Jenuet has brought us "Delicatessen", "City of Lost Children", "A Very Long Engagement" and most notably, "Amelie". His visual style is like no other and his whimsical approach to storytelling brings us films you never want to end. "Micmacs" happily falls into the same category.

This is a most original tale of a man plagued by arms dealers (don't try to understand, it's clear when you see it) who, with help from a ragtag band of misfits living under a junkyard, plots his revenge in a most outlandish and amazing way. It is delightful from start to finish. The actors are wonderful and the cinematography is incredible. The artistic, visual storytelling is done with a minimum of dialog propelled by a wonderful score (including vintage Max Steiner material).

Dany Boon stars as Bazil, the loner seeking revenge and he is a combination of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Marcel Marceau. The film also stars Andre Dussollier, a popular French actor known more for drama than comedy and Julie Ferrier, a charming and most nimble contortionist. Rounding out the cast are a number of Mr. Jeunet's usual stalwarts from his earlier films.

In New York, "Micmacs" is still playing at The Angelika in Manhattan and Cobble Hill Cinema in Brooklyn. If you miss it, add it to the top of your Netflix list. It is easily one of my favorite films of the year.