Audrey Tautou in a scene from the motion picture "Amelie." (Gannett News Service/Miramax Zoe) Amelie Starring: Audrey Tautou. Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Rated R: Sexual content. Running time: 120 minutes. view the trailer | official website

by Jack Garner, Gannett News Service

Here is a recipe for the cinematic equivalent of a fabulous French souffle.

Start with a fanciful fable about a shy, good-natured gamine whose goal is to make everyone around her happy.

Sweeten with a career-launching performance by a delightful young woman named Audrey Tautou.

Toss in a glowing, picture-postcard vision of Paris, especially the oh-so-romantic hilltop Montmartre neighborhood.

Spice with appealing, eccentric characters and colorful settings.

Stir with energetic and highly imaginative filmmaking techniques.

And call the confection "Amelie."

In France, the Jean-Pierre Jeunet concoction has become a sensation - the most successful film in French movie history.

Tautou stars as Amelie, a quiet Montmartre waitress who enjoys simple pleasures - skipping stones on the river, cracking the top of a lovely creme brulee or watching old movies.

Then, one day, quite by accident, she discovers a purpose in life. She will spread joy and goodness among the troubled souls and downtrodden folks she encounters in her day-to-day existence.

They include her co-workers at a Montmartre cafe, her neighbors, a young man who collects disposed photographs from street-corner passport photo booths; and even her emotionally withdrawn father.

In effect, she becomes a matchmaker, a patron, a travel agent, and more; with no one ever knowing about their guardian angel.

But, along the way, she discovers she has her own dreams - and even finds a young man to help make them come true.

To describe the narrative doesn't do "Amelie" justice. The film simply oozes goodness, humor and joy, but with such delightful invention, the result is never cloying or sappy.

You'll laugh frequently, but you'll smile constantly.

Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet made his reputation with such wildly visionary films as "Delicatessen," "The City of Lost Children," and the dark and violent "Alien" sequel, "Alien Resurrection."

With "Amelie," Jeunet elevates his unique game, discovering a more accessible and embraceable object for his cinematic affections.

Quite simply, the lovely, artful "Amelie" is the feel-good film of the year. And, boy, this has become a year that needs it.