Delicatessen / City of Lost Children
This weekend at the
Brattle Theater in Cambridge, they were showing the two French
surrealist films by the same people, Delicatessen and City of Lost
Children. Delicatessen, while I've seen it before, was definately
something different to see on the large screen. A dark, bleak and
surreal view of a French urban wasteland, Delicatessen is one of those
stories where the distinction between good and evil is a grey area.
Cannibalism, an underground society, a circus performer, mischievous
kids, the butcher, the mailman and many others make this an enjoyable
spectacle. City of Lost Children, also by Caro & Jeunet, also takes
place in a surreal, dark and bleak world. This one, however is more of
a fantasy adventure and takes our main characters through the dark
underground worlds of criminals and evil scientists (who kidnap
children to steal their dreams) to rescue their orphan friends. Quite a
wonderful film with a fairy-tale theme. Highly recommendable on a
larger screen, however.