This time on Same Damn Movie, it’s Amélie vs Paddingtons 1 and 2. Their Similarity Will Amaze You!
(For the purposes of this comparison, I’m treating the two Paddington movies as a single uber-movie. In all of the screenshots below, it’s “Amelie top, Paddingtons bottom”, as this example demonstrates.)
Both movies introduce us to their lead characters by telling us about their idiosyncrasies. We learn that both father figures enjoy bringing order to their everyday tools…
…whereas both mothers can be found clearing out the contents of their purse.
In each movie, the lead character has to find an unknown person with a known name somewhere in the city. Naturally, they start with the phone book…
…then take a hand-written list around the city, crossing off each name as they go.
The skylines of their famous international cites are used to pinpoint geographic locations.
Potential “what if” disasters from their adventures are communicated through esoteric historical footage…
…including a scenario in which a central female character imagines herself as a nun.
Both movies feature taxidermy for comedic effect.
The movies share a stunning color palette, with luscious reds, yellows, and greens offset by an occasional detail of blue.
There are scenes featuring antique fairgrounds…
…vaulted train stations…
…the city’s famous metro stations…
…and women in disguises at public phone boxes.
Both movies involve characters being fooled by new messages created from chopped-up originals…
…or being disgusted by what is on their toothbrush.
The lead character helps a gentleman find love with a lady who works at a kiosk within easy line of sight.
And both movies close with the turning of pages from a scrapbook.
(Footnote: The fact that these three movies share stunning production design, gentle feel-good humor, and are love-letters to the cities they inhabit, may explain why they are also three of my favorite movies of all time. Good work, all involved.)
Same Damn Movie 