DVD Corner

Delicatessen 4K UHD Review

“Delicatessen” is a true original. 

Directed by Marc Caro and Jean-Pierre Jeunet (in his directorial debut), 1991’s “Delicatessen” is a post-apocalyptic dark comedy that takes place in a rundown apartment building which features a delicatessen on the bottom floor. The post-apocalyptic world the characters inhabit is a grim one. Food is scarce, a smog hangs over the air, a group of underground vegetarian outlaws (Troglodytes) lurk about, and corn is used as a currency. And, oh yes, cannibalism is a thing in this world. The landlord/butcher lures people with a newspaper job listing and then kills them to feed the apartment building tenants. The latest victim is a former circus clown (Louison). Clapet’s daughter (Julie) winds up falling in love with Louison and tries to save him, but can she?

French auteur Jean-Pierre Jeunet (best known for “Amelie”) is a one of a kind filmmaker. His world building, his quirky sense of humor, and his very specific color palette and production design are uniquely his own. He’s the type of filmmaker whose work you can easily identify. You would never know the now cult classic “Delicatessen” is a debut film because it feels like the work of someone who has been in the biz for years. It also feels quite ahead of its time and does not come across as a film from 1991. The script by Jeunet, Caro and Gilles Adrien works well. You really go on a wild ride with Louison in his new home. The story could have easily veered into gross-out territory, but it never does. At its core, this is a story about romance, survival, and humanity.

The cast is aces. Dominique Pinon (who is a long-time collaborator with Jeunet) is pitch perfect as Louison, Jean-Claude Dreyfus makes a menacing landlord/butcher, and Marie-Laure Dougnac charms as Julie. 

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.85:1 2160p. How does it look? A stunning 4K restoration from the original camera negative. Jeunet’s trademark color scheme really pops here.

Audio Track: French 5.1 and 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? The 5.1 track is a little soft for my liking but it’s still satisfactory.

Extras:
* Trailer (on the 4K and Blu-ray)
* Commentary by Jean-Pierre Jeunet (on the 4K and Blu-ray)
* Blu-ray copy
* A new 26 minute interview with co-directors Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro.
* “Fine Cooked Meats: The Making Of Delicatessen”- Archival 14 minute behind-the-scenes making of.
* “Copains Comme Cochons: Interview With Co-Director Marc Caro”- A revealing new 42 minute interview in a cafe.
* “The Tale Of Terry Gilliam Presents Delicatessen: Interview With Terry Gilliam”- A laidback new 17 ½ minute interview with the filmmaker talking about his career.

May 20, 2025 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | 90's Film, Cult Classic, Delicatessen 4K UHD Review, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Post-Apocalyptic Film