Delicatessen

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Jordan, Amberly, Alex

Ooo a bit of Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Back when he was with Marc Caro. I believe this is their first feature too. It's a very stylish debut, even through the plot is a little disjointed at times. But it's also very charming, despite being a post-apocalyptic cannibalism story.

The majority of the start is like a series of pleasant little vignettes. The apartment building is populated with a variety of some very french and very outlandish characters. I love the humour. If you've seen Jeunet's later film Amelie you'll have some idea. That's the film of his most people know of but I much prefer his earlier work, when he was less... overtly happy. There's an awesome dark edge to this.

Their films have a very unique colour palette, like someone urinated on the celluloid. It's a strange yellow/green with a slightly higher contrast that makes the rusty textures pop. He uses it in all his films, even when he made the 4th Alien film. Some people accuse Bioshock of stealing his look, they do have a lot of similarities.

Dominique Pinon has such a crazy funny face. He's a great performer as well, it's no wonder he's been cast in every one of his films. The build up to the climax is the best part though.

It's a funny little film, I think I like their follow up City of Lost Children a little more just because the plot has a bit more substance to it, but there's something to be said for the tangental charm their debut produces.