Review of Delicatessen (1991) by Grant S — 07 Jun 2016
France, post-apocalypse. Food is scarce and the residents of a block of flats must exist on what they can. Operating out of the ground floor of the building, and living in one of the flats, is a butcher. He has a method for procuring meat - by hiring a handyman for the building and then killing him. Food stocks are once again running low so he hires a handyman, Louison. However, the butcher's daughter, Julie, falls for Louison and will go to any length to prevent him from getting the chop, including getting him kidnapped by some not-entirely competent terrorists/rebels. High jinks ensue.
Wickedly dark, off-beat, anarchic and clever. Very original plot with some very funny moments and a subversive current running through it. Some good drama too.
Solid direction: dark lighting and a minimalist set help the post-apocalyptic, impoverished feel.
Good performances all round, especially from Dominique Pinon as Louison and Marie-Laure Dougnac as Julie.
This review of Delicatessen (1991) was written by Grant S on 07 Jun 2016.
Delicatessen has generally received very positive reviews.
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