Episode #39: Delicatessen

Listen to Episode 39 of the Podcast here while you enjoy the show notes.

SUMMARY - Delicatessen takes place in a rundown apartment building in a post-apocalyptic world where grains have become currency and the meat from the downstairs butcher’s shop is a luxury experience. A new arrival to the complex, Louison (played by Dominique Pinon), throws off the delicate balance of their ecosystem and now the tenants want to put him on the chopping block.

Screenplay by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Marc Caro, and Gilles Adrien; Directed by Marc Caro and Jean-Pierre Jeunet, and released in France on April 17, 1991.

FILM DISCUSSION

Instantly, the film presents us with a very stylistic and creative prologue that sets the scene and tone for the rest of the movie.

It can be dark and grim at times.

It can be funny at times.

It will most certainly be orange at all times.

One of Jon's biggest issues is that the post-apocalyptic world is not explained. The audience doesn't get a good enough understanding of what dangers lurk outside the building, if any.

The movie makes up for that with a wide variety of quirky characters

Even if most of them actually serve no purpose in the plot whatsoever.

The movie is incredibly charming and there are times when the whole building gets into a rhythmic sequence that is a joy.

There's some wonderful physical comedy in a couple scenes.

Dominique Pinon does a lot of interesting tricks throughout.

And the ending is frantic with an appropriate amount of tension.

If nothing else, the film is a wonderful surprise that will always present something interesting and beautiful (even if macabre at times) with each new scene.

Awards Talk: It earned a BAFTA nomination for Best Non-English film. The film also won the Cesar for Best First Work, Best Screenplay, Best Production Design, and Best Editing and was nominated for several more

TRUE CRIME & POP CULTURE

This week we don't have any true crime segment to talk about so we jump right into music.

Here are your Billboard Top 5 Songs for the week of April 20, 1991

You’re In Love - Wilson Phillips

Baby Baby - Amy Grant

I’ve Been Thinking About You - Londonbeat

Hold You Tight - Tara Kemp

Joyride - Roxette

If you're following along with our Star Spangled Banner watch, it ranked at #33 this week.

Here are your TV Listings for April 17, 1991 -

http://www.tvtango.com/listings/1991/04/17/gabriels_fire

We had some Looney Tunes in the prime time line-up this evening. CBS was showing Bugs Bunny's Overtures to Disaster - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0244444/

RANKINGS & RATINGS

Nikki 1-5 star scale - 4 out of 5

Jon 0-4 star scale - 3 out of 4

Would you watch it again? - This is an easy yes. Any potential plot or world-building gripes aside, it is visually stunning, incredibly charming, and ideally we would love to experience it on the big screen at some point.

If you want to watch Delicatessen, as of this recording in October 2021, it’s available on Prime, Digital Rental, VHS, DVD. Check your local listings.

NEXT EPISODE & WHERE TO FIND US

You can listen to us on all your major podcasting platforms and please consider rating, subscribing, and sharing with your friends.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Letterboxd

Join us next time for An American Tail: Fievel Goes West available on Starz, Digital Rental, VHS, DVD