How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from the French-to-English translated subtitles of Amélie.
Quote #1
NARRATOR: Wherever he was, she would find the box's owner and give him back his treasure. If he was touched, she'd become a regular do-gooder. If not, too bad.
Most people would just toss the box in the garbage, either because they're lazy or because they're not brave enough to return it. Amélie is neither.
Quote #2
[Amélie investigates Bredoteau, leading her to three of the wrong people.]
It takes a lot of nerve to go to a stranger's apartment and ask him or her if an ancient toy tin belongs to them, but Amélie does it. Even though she gets more and more nervous with each wrong person, she perseveres through it all.
Quote #3
BRETODEAU: The phone booth was calling me.
It takes a little bit of courage for Bretodeau to answer the mysterious ringing phone. If he had just kept walking, he'd never have discovered the toy box.
Quote #4
BRETODEAU: It's time I looked them up, before I'm in a box myself.
Finding his old childhood toy box gives Bretodeau the motivation to contact his family, whom he hasn't spoken to in many years. That can't be an easy thing to do. We see at the very end of the movie that he is successful in reuniting with them.
Quote #5
NARRATOR: Any normal girl would call the number, meet him, return the album, and see if her dream is viable. It's called a reality check. The last thing Amélie wants.
Maybe Amélie isn't that brave after all… When it comes time to return the album, she takes the most roundabout way to do it, not even handing it to Nino personally. Maybe she's extra nervous because she's especially invested in Nino and doesn't want to be let down by reality.
Quote #6
[Amélie calls Nino, and the number goes to Porno Video Palace.]
Okay, we're not giving Amélie enough credit with the bravery thing. Not every girl would march into Porno Video Palace to return a photo album. She has her initial moment of bravery here before resorting to sending Nino on a big ol' scavenger hunt later.
Quote #7
[Amélie leaves a trail of blue arrows for Nino to follow.]
Would you follow a bunch of blue arrows left on the ground for you by a total stranger? Nino does without any hesitation at all.
Quote #8
LUCIEN: Collignon, big moron, down the john.
There is a lot of courage involved in speaking your mind, and even though Lucien never says these things to Collignon's face (which is wise, as it would get him fired), he's able to vent it in the safety of Dufayel's apartment.
Quote #9
DUFAYEL: Is she in love with him?
AMÉLIE: Yes.
DUFAYEL: I think it's time she took a real risk.
AMÉLIE: She might. She's devising a stratagem.
DUFAYEL: She's fond of stratagems.
AMÉLIE: Yes.
DUFAYEL: In fact, she's cowardly. That's why I can't capture her look.
Dufayel soon gets fed up with Amélie's little games. What once seemed brave, like setting up these little trails to lead people to their destinies, is starting to seem like evidence that Amélie's actually chickening out.
Quote #10
DUFAYEL: So, my little Amélie, your bones aren't made of glass. You can take life's knocks. If you let this chance go by eventually your heart will become as dry and brittle as my skeleton. So, go get him, for Pete's sake!
This is the turning point for Amélie, the moment when she realizes that she has to be brave and stop playing games and go out and get what she wants. Conveniently, what she wants is right on her doorstep, but that doesn't negate the fact that she's worked up the courage to open the door.