Enter the World of the Whimsical

Cinema’s ability to depict the harshness of reality and rawest of emotions of the most imaginative things and whimsical settings is one of the reasons why this versatile art form is so dear to many. From coming-of-age to fantasy adventure films, here are a couple of whimsy films that will have you feeling as though you’ve fallen straight through the screen. 

Amélie (2001)

Written and directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Amélie (also known as Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain or the The Fabulous Destiny of Amélie Poulain in English) is the quintessential quirky film of the twenty-first century. Starring Audrey Tautou as the titular character, Amélie follows an imaginative and scheming (in the sweetest way) young woman who wishes to bring happiness to those around her and also discovers love along the way. The film’s depiction of Parisian life is nothing short of magical, with each frame looking as though it came straight out of a children’s storybook. From its array of eccentric characters to the vivid and saturated colours of the film, Amélie’s heightened realism and charming story lends itself to being one of the most whimsical films of all time. 

The Shape of Water (2017)

Winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture, Guillermo del Toro’s romantic dark fantasy film The Shape of Water is set during the Cold War and is about a mute cleaning lady Elisa (played by Sally Hawkins) who works in a high security government laboratory and discovers a human-like amphibian creature (played by Doug Jones) being housed in the facility. Eventually falling in love with the creature, Elisa, with the help of her close friends, plans to help him escape captivity. An unlikely love story, The Shape of Water has been referred to as a modern fairytale. Though mostly set in a bleak industrial facility in a bleaker time, the film's muddy yet saturated colours give it a dreamy quality. 

Mermaids (1990)

Starring Cher, Winona Ryder, and Christina Ricci, Mermaids (based on the novel of the same name) is a whimsy but heartfelt coming of age that deals with first loves and family dysfunction. The film follows Rachel, a fun-loving, carefree single mother of two who moves her family from town to town, much to the disapproval of her neurotic and devout oldest daughter Charlotte. As they settle into a small, quaint Massachusetts town, Charlotte gets caught up in a relationship with an older man and relations with her mother become further strained. Mermaids stands out from other coming of age films for its eccentric characters and humour. While mothers and daughters will fight, Mermaids ends on a sweet note, showing us that family, no matter how different we all may be, is forever. 

Midnight in Paris (2011)

Featuring quite an impressive cast with names such as Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Adrien Brody, Tom Hiddleston, and Kathy Bates, Midnight in Paris is a romantic fantasy drama film that explores love, aspirations, and nostalgia. The film follows screenwriter Gil (played by Wilson) who while on vacation with his fiancée (played by McAdams), discovers a way to travel back in time to romanticized periods in history such as 1920s Paris and the Belle Époque, meeting famous artists and writers such as F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway on the way. Midnight in Paris explores our nature to yearn for what we have not experienced. Through the whimsical and nostalgic travels of our protagonist, the film ultimately highlights that while we may sometimes be unsatisfied with our present, it’s up to us to make the most of whatever time we have. 

Stardust (2007)

Speaking of incredibly stacked casts, Matthew Vaughn’s fantasy film Stardust (based on Neil Gaiman’s novel of the same name) features big names such as Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, Claire Danes, Sienna Miller, Charlie Cox, and Sir Ian McKellen amongst many more. The film follows Tristan Thorn (played by Cox) who journeys beyond his village to retrieve a fallen star, unbeknownst to him that said star is in the form of a woman named Yvaine (played by Danes) and that others hunt for her as well. A whimsical adventure full of heart and adorable romance, Stardust transports you into a magical world of witches and pirates that is just so much fun to watch. 

Spirited Away (2001)

Studio Ghibli films are known for their charming animation and Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away is no different. The story tells of a ten-year-old girl named Chihiro who has to navigate a magical world of witches, spirits, and dragons in order to save her parents (who have been turned into pigs) and return to the human world. Celebrated for its enchanting story as well as social commentary, Spirited Away truly shows us that imagination knows no bounds and since its release has won the hearts of many. 

The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967)

Legendary director Jacques Demy’s colourful and vibrant musical film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort or The Young Girls of Rochefort is nothing short of a delight. The film follows two sisters Delphine and Solange (played by real-life sisters Catherine Deneuve and Françoise Dorléac). Both are artists who long for love and have dreams of moving to Paris, and as we follow them on their journey we are introduced to more characters searching for purpose in Rochefort, including a pair of carnies, a famous composer (played by Gene Kelly) and a sailor. Featuring catchy songs and impressive dance numbers, The Young Girls of Rochefort almost feels like something out of a daydream.

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

I had to include one Wes Anderson film to finish off this list. Known for its gorgeous sets, pastel aesthetic, and witty offbeat humour, The Grand Budapest Hotel is a charming story about a former lobby boy named Zero (played by Tony Revolori in the flashback), who recounts his time working at the Grand Budapest Hotel with his mentor, the concierge Monsieur Gustave (played by Ralph Fiennes). Like many of Wes Anderson’s films, The Grand Budapest Hotel transports you into its unique world of colourful buildings and characters. It also touches on heavier themes such as war and facisim in addition to friendship and nostalgia. A perfect blend of comedy and drama, The Grand Budapest Hotel is already a whimsical and timeless classic.