Delicatessen

Name: Delicatessen
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance
Released: April 3, 1992
Duration: 99 min
Rating: 66
Cast: Dominique Pinon, Marie-Laure Dougnac

1992

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 52 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 52 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Miramax Films | Release Date: April 3, 1992 | R

Starring: Dominique Pinon, Marie-Laure Dougnac

Summary: In a post-apocalyptic society where meat is scarce, cannibalism is no longer unsavory. And when a young ex-clown takes a job in a dilapidated deli, he's completely unaware that the butcher plans to serve him to the building's bizarre tenants. But when the butcher's nearsighted daughter falls for the clown, she'll go to absurd lengths toIn a post-apocalyptic society where meat is scarce, cannibalism is no longer unsavory. And when a young ex-clown takes a job in a dilapidated deli, he's completely unaware that the butcher plans to serve him to the building's bizarre tenants. But when the butcher's nearsighted daughter falls for the clown, she'll go to absurd lengths to foil her father's plan. (Miramax)… Expand

Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 99 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Jenn Shreve

I didn't need to understand every word to see what a beautiful film this was - each camera shot a carefully composed masterpiece that immerses the viewer in a realm of luxuriant imagination. Read full review

Duane Byrge

The slapstick is classic-level stuff, the kind of domino-effect precision that is lost in most of today's clumsy farces. Read full review

Marc Savlov

Set in some sort of post-apocalyptic Parisian deli o' the damned, this lunatic's take on the future of man is so delightfully warped that it's impossible to shake it out of your head and go get a decent night's sleep. Read full review

J. Hoberman

Delicatessen may be junk food, but it's served with the discretion of nouvelle cuisine. [07 Apr 1992]

Janet Maslin

Among the things that deserve mention in this lightweight but sometimes subversively stylish farce are its ingenious credit sequence, its lively editing by Herve Schneid, its use of code names like Artichoke Heart and Cordon Bleu in the guerrilla war that rages underground and its reference to a couple of odd inventions. Read full review

David Sterritt

Delicatessen seems overstuffed at times, unable to digest its own surfeit of jokes, tricks, and surprises. Read full review

Rita Kempley

A punky, futuristic effort by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro, it is a tasteless variation on "Sweeney Todd" set geographically near the border of Terry Gilliam's "Brazil." Read full review

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User Reviews

Cal

Nov 9, 2008

Brilliant film

2 of 2 users found this helpful

oliver1h

May 25, 2013

One of the most unique post-apocalyptic movie you will ever seen. Totally surreal and I loved every moment of it. Definitely recommended if you are interested in the genre, or in unorthodox french cinema.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

BillS.

Feb 7, 2008

A French circus gone bonkers. Surreal love story.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

RobertBrogan

Sep 30, 2015

Delicatessen is a very visually stimulating film. Despite the impression that the description creates, the film is about as much a horror movie as Army of Darkness is. Rather I would say the film is a fiendish and surreal comedy. Whether you enjoy the film or not will largely come down toDelicatessen is a very visually stimulating film. Despite the impression that the description creates, the film is about as much a horror movie as Army of Darkness is. Rather I would say the film is a fiendish and surreal comedy. Whether you enjoy the film or not will largely come down to taste. The acting and filmmaking are good enough to at least warrant a view so you can see for yourself.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ahmedaiman1999

May 11, 2020

"Since I break things, I always buy two."

You remember the oddly satisfying scene from Amélie where the titular heroine describes her little pleasures? Delicatessen, as a whole, seems to be the exact opposite of that scene. From its first minutes, we're thrown into a dirty, twisted,"Since I break things, I always buy two."

You remember the oddly satisfying scene from Amélie where the titular heroine describes her little pleasures? Delicatessen, as a whole, seems to be the exact opposite of that scene.
From its first minutes, we're thrown into a dirty, twisted, decaying universe where everything seems off, discordant and in a total disarray. A universe where the cold water only comes on when you turn the handle for the hot, and vice versa, and where there is a musical saw.

Speaking of the musical saw, music seems to be the only thing that can effortlessly produced; hence, it's our only interim comfort in this bizarre, unsettling world. For, in contrast, when it comes to music, all the things, whatever they are, seem to be miraculously harmonious with each other.

The outrageously beautiful yellow-drenched cinematography, the close-up shots and camera angles and the post-apocalyptic futuristic setting, all reminded me of Gilliam's Brazil. While the whimsical, childlike feel that pervade the entire film reminded me of Wes Anderson. That said, Jeunet and Caro's vision is one-of-a-kind. For while cannibalism plays a major role in Delicatessen, it's never disturbing and doesn't even have much violence. And while it has an undeniable childlike feel into it —to the point its characters and its overall look are so cartoonish— it's not to told from a child perspective and very mature at its core.

"Nobody is entirely evil: it's that circumstances that make them evil, or they don't know they are doing evil."

This quote doesn't only apply to a certain character in the film, but I think it sums up the entire film in one way or another. Delicatessen is littered with inexplicable circumstances that seem, at face value, to only lead to sinister ends. However, there are also things in the film that don't seem to fit in with neither its major theme nor the chaotically evil happenings. Yes, the music and the cartoonish vibe. They somehow suggest that everything will be alright in the end: where comes the job for the Australian!

The only issue I have, which is sadly a major one, is that the film is too convoluted for its own good. The fact it's intentionally messy —which is a thing I adored about it— didn't help either. Regardless, do yourself a favour and watch it, even if you didn't necessarily like Amélie. "C’est saisissant!"

(8.5/10)… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Jul 28, 2023

Dark, comical, surreal, unconventional and eccentric. The mixture this film manages to create is unique and absurd in equal amounts, and while it doesn't have an overly powerful plot, it still manages to deliver an unforgettable experience.

The artistic brilliance of its production isDark, comical, surreal, unconventional and eccentric. The mixture this film manages to create is unique and absurd in equal amounts, and while it doesn't have an overly powerful plot, it still manages to deliver an unforgettable experience.

The artistic brilliance of its production is beautifully complemented by its imagination and inventiveness. The film benefits from this overall approach, without relying on anything that stands out above the rest of its proposal.

If you're looking to immerse yourself in an impressively bizarre world, Delicatessen is a fascinating option.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JenA.

Aug 4, 2007

One of the worst movies I have EVER seen - from stale acting, far-fetched plot lines and poor dialogue, it's a disaster from start to end. I don't know how I reached the end of the movie, possibly it was from sheer curiosity to see if the whole thing could really be that bad. But, One of the worst movies I have EVER seen - from stale acting, far-fetched plot lines and poor dialogue, it's a disaster from start to end. I don't know how I reached the end of the movie, possibly it was from sheer curiosity to see if the whole thing could really be that bad. But, on a different note, it perhaps may be considered a good watch for entertainment value?… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful

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