Delicatessen
Delicatessen. A dark comedy released in 1991, tells the story of a post-apocalyptic world where meat has become so scare that it’s used as currency. Residents inhabiting the world of Delicatessen live in an apartment complex situated above a deli which is run by a butcher who lures in his victims with the promise of a job as the building’s handyman. Unfortunately, none hired have lived long enough to see a paycheck. They instead end up as meat for sale in the delicatessen.
This film pulls off such a macabre premise with style and flair that doesn’t rely on shocking violence, but instead thrives on brilliant characters and some of the most amazing set designs you’ll ever see on film. Nothing short of a Terri Gilliam film could even come close to touching the style that this movie managed to capture. Easy enough for the entire family to watch, but filled to the brim with enough bizarre situations and filming techniques to keep this flick firmly entrenched in cult status, this is one movie you can’t afford to miss.
Luckily this film was re-released on DVD in 2008, and can easily be picked up from Amazon. Be sure to check out Jean Jeunet and Marc Caro’s other film The City Of Lost Children, which stars a pre-Hellboy Ron Perlman. TCoLC is about a scientist who steals the dreams of children in a bid for eternal life. This movie is much like Delicatessen, but to the 10th power. Best to ease into this one with a viewing of Delicatessen first…
Dominique Pinon (whom you might remember from the movie Alien Resurrection) plays an unemployed clown who's duped into becoming the latest in a long line of unfortunate handymen.
The Frog Man, who lives in an apartment inhabited with frogs and sails.
The fragile Aurore Interligator who believes that spirits in her apartment are urging her to kill herself in ever more complex ways.
The underground rebellion who live, literally, underground.
The mad butcher anxiously awaits the arrival of the newest handyman.
