Delicatessen

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Delicatessen

R

Released Apr 17, 1991

1h 38m

Sci-Fi

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

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59 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Clapet (Jean-Claude Dreyfus) is a butcher who owns a run-down apartment building in post-apocalyptic France. The building is in constant need of a handyman, because Clapet routinely butchers them and sells them as food. The latest in the long ling of disposable workers is Louison (Dominique Pinon), a former circus clown desperate for work and lodging. But this time Clapet's plan hits a snag when his young daughter (Marie-Laure Dougnac) falls head over heels for the lovable Louison.

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Critics Consensus

Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet deftly combines horror, sci-fi, and humor in Delicatessen, a morbid comedy set in a visually ravishing futuristic dystopia.

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Anton Bitel

Little White Lies

All at once nightmarish cannibal horror and romantic comedy, good-natured fairytale, and hyper-stylised allegory of French wartime collaboration and resistance, this collective debut from Marc Caro & Jean-Pierre Jeunet is dizzyingly difficult to pin down

Oct 18, 2023

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Steven Rea

Philadelphia Inquirer

With its molelike inhabitants, its sprawling war between flesh-eaters and lentil-men, its achingly sweet love story and surrealist blend of dusty antiquities and 21st-century gizmos, Delicatessen is indescribably wild.

Rated: 3.5/4

Nov 21, 2013

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Clifford Terry

Chicago Tribune

All of this is handled in a breezy, off-handed, nutsy manner, as the superb cast combines to help bring it off.

Rated: 3.5/4

Nov 21, 2013

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

While black comedies are often known for their cynicism, this one maintains an unorthodox esprit de corp.

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 4, 2025

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Iain Robertson

Starburst

While the subject matter is bleak, Delicatessen is a charming, unique movie and a truly unique piece of cinema.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 16, 2023

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

An existentialist fricassee of irresistible comedy. [Full review in Spanish]

Dec 12, 2022

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michael w

Besides that the movie is fantastically quirky as a whole, there are several scenes which are perfectly crafted while one really stands out: moooo -beeeaaa :-)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/27/25

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Maeve H

If you only watch one movie in your whole life, it has to be Delicatessen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/25

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Fer S

Great movie! Very unique. Great casting, acting and fantastic sets. They must have been a real mess to clean up.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/18/25

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Aender S

Great visuals, quirky acting and crazy story, the main ingredients for this excellent movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/13/24

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Logan D

In a morbid future, food is in short supply and rice is used as currency. A corrupt butcher lures persons to be cut up as meat by advertising for a handyman. Wow! This is a film I often saw advertised at our local theater that showed art films and Rocky Horror but I never saw it. Indeed, I just had the impression (with no evidence) this was some snooty French film which I wouldn't like. Little did I know it is an whimsical darkly humorous zany sci-fi tale that actually examines the resistance movement in German-occupied Europe. Not that I got that. That's on Wikipedia. But you don't need to know that to enjoy this great work of film. And it has one of the greatest set pieces to ever grace the screen. A fellow film buff said that set piece was the advertisement for the film and always garnered laughs before the scheduled feature. Highly, highly recommended. So sad I took so long to view it but so happy I finally did.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/31/23

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Richard H

A unique blend of black comedy, dystopian atmosphere, and visual creativity. It's a showcase in creating a bizarre and captivating world where the absurdity of the characters' lives unfold. It successfully combines romance, horror, and satire. The cinematography, set design, and quirky characters all contribute to the film's charm, Definately watch if you're a fan of offbeat cinema.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/02/23

Full Review

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Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Director

Marc Caro

Director

Dominique Pinon

Louison

Marie-Laure Dougnac

Julie Clapet

Jean-Claude Dreyfus

Clapet

Rufus

Robert Kube

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Synopsis

Clapet (Jean-Claude Dreyfus) is a butcher who owns a run-down apartment building in post-apocalyptic France. The building is in constant need of a handyman, because Clapet routinely butchers them and sells them as food. The latest in the long ling of disposable workers is Louison (Dominique Pinon), a former circus clown desperate for work and lodging. But this time Clapet's plan hits a snag when his young daughter (Marie-Laure Dougnac) falls head over heels for the lovable Louison.

Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Marc Caro
Producer: Claudie Ossard
Screenwriter: Gilles Adrien, Marc Caro, Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax
Rating: R
Genre: Sci-Fi, Comedy
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 17, 1991, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Apr 3, 1992
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $9.1K
Runtime: 1h 38m

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