I found this film to be genuinely enjoyable, though I have to admit, much of the time I felt completely lost! From the very beginning, I assumed Steven Sondheim’s "Mrs. Lovett" would be baking her pies downstairs, under the shop of “Clapet” (Jean-Claude Dreyfus). They inhabit a France where food is scarce and people vanish without explanation! He also owns a rundown apartment building next door and needs someone to c…

This movie feels like French surrealism gone wrong, showcasing visual flair but lacking substance. I came to Jean-Pierre Jeunet through “Amelie,” as many people who aren’t deeply familiar with French movies do. That film launched him to international recognition and is widely considered his best and most important work. Because I enjoyed "Amelie" so much, I decided to watch this one, but my experience was quite d…