This is a fabulous film. It's gorgeous. Every scene is a beautilful painting with vivid characters. Jeunet has a fascination with industrial mechanisms; they are a character in the film, taking on a life of their own. Muted colors, close-ups of cranks and pulleys and hands on old clocks. It's amazing.

But I didn't like it. There is something about Jeunet's films I find very cold and distant. I will be the first to admit that they are gorgeous, quirky, and lovely to watch, but they seem soul-less to me. It's like hearing a technically perfect rendition of the 9th Symphony that has no heart. Having said that, I may watch this one again, it is so magnificient. Maybe knowing ahead of time that I will feel nothing will allow me to just watch without giving anything back. That might work.