Delicatessen

Delicatessen (1991)

  • 88% of critics liked it
    (40 reviews)

  • 91% of users liked it
    (43,551 ratings)

A post-apocalyptic future becomes the setting for pitch black humor in this visually intricate French comedy. The action takes place within a single apartment complex, which is owned by the same man that operates the downstairs butcher shop. It's a particularly popular place to live, thanks to the… More

R, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By
Marc Caro, Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Written By
Gilles Adrien
Genres
Drama, Art House & International, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy
In Theaters
Oct 6, 1991 Wide
On DVD
May 2, 2006
Lionsgate

Critic Reviews

  • Duane Byrge, Hollywood Reporter

    With their detached, sardonic and decidedly sick slant, Jeunet and Caro have served up a burnt-to-a-crisp feast.

  • Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

    There are no characters to care about or remember afterward -- just a lot of flashy technique involving decor, some glib allegorical flourishes, and the obligatory studied film-school weirdness.

  • Variety Staff, Variety

    A zany little film that's a startling and clever debut for co-helmers Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro.

  • Janet Maslin, New York Times

    Its last half-hour is devoted chiefly to letting the characters wreck the sets, and quite literally becomes a washout when the bathtub overflows.

  • Rita Kempley, Washington Post

    A laboriously self-conscious attempt at being avant-garde.

Read all 16 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • EightThirty .


    05/01/2011 (DVD) <b>Quite good!</b> An unusual setting with unusual characters which made this an unusually good movie. It is a flick with deception as it seemed to be a friendly comedy, but it's really smothered with darkness! Strangely, there's romance… More

  • Mike S


    France in a not-too-distant, post-apocalyptic future. A grim and filthy existence, where the shortage of food have turned some into desperate acts of cannibalism. Not exactly the sort of things we associate this otherwise-beautiful country with. In the visual sense, this film is both… More

  • Melvin W


    "This is a job for the Australian!" This is no where near as good as Jeunets masterpiece Amelie; but it is still a very quirky and entertaining film. Although the movie does have some scenes that are extremely funny; on the whole it isn't that funny of a movie. There is… More

  • Alice S


    This film is kinda the nail in the coffin of my assertion that Jean-Pierre Jeunet had one great idea (<i>Amelie</i>), and everything else is just a convoluted mess. Dominique Pinon and Marie-Laure Dougnac are quite sweet and charming as the handyman who came to dinner and… More

  • Thomas B


    Absolutely amazing. Equals parts comedy, tragedy, romance and thriller, this is one of the best foreign language you'll ever watch. Full review later.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

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