Delicatessen - A masterpiece of comic horror. (1 Viewer)

[Paul_D]

I've had this on tape for about 7 years, but have never seen it, until last night when it was on TV. And wow! I was absolutely blown away by this masterpiece. For those that don't know it, it is the first film by Jean-Pierre "Amelie" Jeunet, co-directed by Marc Caro. It's a visual
tour-de-fource that in the realm of comic-horror, can only be matched by Sam Raimi's Evil Dead 2.

Delicatessen strikes me as the type of film that David Lynch might dream up if he decided to film a story that made sense. It's so bizarre, and so totally dark that often while watching the film I was struck with terror
and burts of uncontrollable laughter almost simultaneously. Theres so much imagery that at first appears to be totally meaningles and superfklous to the story, but on closer inspection, slots in perfectly into the context of
the film. Dominique Pinon is wonderful in the lead role of Louison. He's prevalant in all of Jeunet's films, and has a strange magnetism that just forces you to look at him.
Also, the cinematographer Darius Khondji (sp?) (whose brilliant work has recently been on show in Panic Room[) has painted one of the most dazzling and unique film experiences onto celluloid that I've ever seen. If you've yet to see it, then wait no longer. The DVD has been rumoured to be in the works, so we should have it soon. I can only imagine how amazing an experience it will be to watch a high-definition transfer with 5.1 sound. I can't wait!
Also, on a side-note, how the hell did Jeunet manage to make a film as bad as Alien Resurrection when everything else he's touched has turned to
gold? Baffling.

 

[SteveGon]

I love this movie too! Now where is that DVD?
You didn't mention it so I'll ask: have you seen Jeunet's City of Lost Children? The visuals in this one, also shot by Darius Khondji, are even more elaborate. Better yet, it's available on DVD.

 

[Peter Kim]

I've wanted to watch this one badly. Too bad it's not on dvd - does the videotape at least present this film in its OAR?

Heard only excellent things about City of Lost Children.

Question: Given the enormous, international popularity of Amelie, is there a shift in Jeunet's methods that produced a greater hit than his previous works?

At least, that's my impression. Although I was always aware of Delicatessen and City of Lost Children, I don't believe either one generated the same amount of buzz (Oscar or otherwise) that Amelie is currently enjoying. I've not seen any of his films yet.

 

[Paul_D]

I have seen The City of Lost Children, but it really didn't appeal to me like Amelie and Delicatessen have. I think its mainly the plot that doesn't interest me. I just find the style and photography is a reason for the plot to exist, whereas with the other two, the plot was a reason for the style and photography to exist. i.e. City of Lost Children is less compelling as a narrative than Jeunet's other work.
Also, I don't consider Amelie any different from his other movies. The only thing that sets it apart, is that its works spectacularly well, and the story has a mass-commercial appeal, whereas the others are far more niche-orientated.

 

[Mark_vdH]

Actually, it was recently released on DVD in Europe, in its OAR and with some nice extra's. The Dvd Times has a nice review on-line.