Delicatessen
1991 Science-Fiction Comedy / Drama    
 
Credits
  • Director: Marc Caro, Jean-Pierre Jeunet
  • Script: Gilles Adrien, Marc Caro, Jean-Pierre Jeunet
  • Photo: Darius Khondji
  • Music: Carlos D'Alessio
  • Cast: Pascal Benezech (Tried to Escape), Dominique Pinon (Louison), Marie-Laure Dougnac (Julie Clapet), Jean-Claude Dreyfus (Clapet), Karin Viard (Mademoiselle Plusse), Ticky Holgado (Marcel Tapioca), Anne-Marie Pisani (Madame Tapioca), Boban Janevski (Young Rascal), Mikael Todde (Young Rascal), Edith Ker (Grandmother), Rufus (Robert Kube), Jacques Mathou (Roger), Howard Vernon (Frog Man), Chick Ortega (Postman), Silvie Laguna (Aurore Interligator), Jean-François Perrier (Georges Interligator), Dominique Zardi (Taxi Driver), Patrick Paroux (Puk), Maurice Lamy (Pank), Marc Caro (Fox), Eric Averlant (Tourneur)
  • Country: France
  • Language: French
  • Runtime: 99 min
 
 
 
Summary
In a grim, post-apocolyptic future, food is so scarce that people are forced into canabalism.  The story revolves around a building of apartments owned by a man who also runs a butcher's shop.  He provides meat to his tenants which he obtains by chopping up his latest building superintendent.  Unfortunately, his daughter, Marie, has fallen madly in love with the new building superintendent, Louison, and is determined that he should not suffer the same fate as his (many) predecessors.  Unfortunately, the non-vegan residents think otherwise...



Review
This is a very funny film which, in spite of the storyline, is not as black as the opening scene would suggest.  Jeunet and Caro's filmographic style is unusual - in fact genuinely surreal in places.  The extraordinary O.T.T. performances from all of the cast members (particularly Pinon and Dougnac), the spooky incidental music, and the creepy sets all add to the bizarre, other-worldliness of this film.

The film relies heavily on the visuals for its comedy, and treats the viewer with one great comic situation after another.  The special effects are truly impressive, particularly the unforgettable scene where Julie and Louison make their brilliant escape from a flooded bathroom!

Overall, the film comes across as a series of very funny sequences rather than a satisfying whole.  However, as an unfettered escapist comedy, the film is a triumph.

© James Travers 2000


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