Review of Delicatessen

Mis-steak!

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This film was a huge disappointment for me. I tend to go into every film with an open mind, but I approached this one almost certain that I'd enjoy it. However, there were numerous times throughout that I just felt like turning it straight off. I just couldn't wait for the film to end.

Vague and confusing throughout, I picked up most of the plot from the synopsis on the back of the DVD case. Set after an unspecified apocalyptic event, an isolated butcher's shop houses a handful of quirky tenants who are desperate for meat. The butcher appeases his building by regularly advertising for a handy man in the paper and then killing and cannibalising whatever unfortunate soul is unlucky enough to take up the job. This time, however, it's different, as a former circus performer accepts the job and starts an unconvincing love story with the butchers daughter. Billed as a comedy, most of the humorous moments in the film are generated by this character, who often finds himself carrying out daily chores in an unorthodox manner, or wowing the neighbours with uncouth displays of heroism. Its enough to raise a smirk in places, but nothing more.

There are two utterly pointless sequences in the film that seem to be included just to infuriate the viewer; one follows the butcher making love to his wife and the other shows the handyman fixing the bed. All very drab - they were the kind of scenes that an unqualified film student would come up with on his first day in the job, things that should definitely have been ironed out by professionals. In fact, I did start to wonder if the huge mistakes were being left in on purpose - such howlers such as light streaming in through the windows of the building when it was supposed to be night time were just one of many unprofessional flaws that left me feeling robbed of my time and money.

The inclusion of a bunch of useless idiots who live underground was just another excuse to clutch at some comic relief straws, and as such their point in the story is utterly non-existent. They become nuisance characters. The film springs to life towards the final scenes with an ending that is so hastily constructed that they might as well just have flashed "We didn't know how to finish it." on the screen. After each neighbour condemned the butchers ways and each considered leaving or not partaking in the cannibalistic practice, they all turn into a bunch of blood thirsty henchmen for the butcher as he desperately tries to capture the circus clown. At the end of the film, I didn't care who lived or who died, because not a single character had built a persona that I could even identify, let alone sympathise with. The film is then topped off with a finale that resolves absolutely nothing.

In all, a highly unspectacular film that I would find it difficult to recommend to anybody.

3/10

Comments

Charis

Posted : 1 month, 3 weeks ago at Aug 14 18:33

I agree with you on the two pointless scenes you mentioned - however, I felt that most of the characters were entirely lovable, or at least interesting because of their eccentricity. I especially enjoyed the role Dominique Pinon played as the clown.

But I think with this movie, it is more...well, for lack of better word, a "fun" film - not really anything to be taken seriously and reminiscent of a type of wacked-out fairy tale. Perhaps I am simply blinded by my love for French film, but I thought it had a certain uniqueness about it that kept my attention.

Added by Grand Assault 4 months ago on 29 May 2008 10:00