Synopsis
In 1671, with war brewing with Holland, a penniless prince invites Louis XIV to three days of festivities at a chateau in Chantilly. The prince wants a commission as a general, so the extravagances are to impress the king. In charge of all is the steward, Vatel, a man of honor, talent, and low birth. The prince is craven in his longing for stature: no task is too menial or dishonorable for him to give Vatel. While Vatel tries to sustain dignity, he finds himself attracted to Anne de Montausier, the king's newest mistress. In Vatel, she finds someone who's authentic, living out his principles within the casual cruelties of court politics. Can the two of them escape unscathed?
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Cast
- Gérard DepardieuFrancois Vatel
- Uma ThurmanAnne de Montausier
- Tim RothMarquis de Lauzun
- Timothy SpallGourville
- Julian GloverPrince de Conde
- Julian SandsLouis XIV
- Murray Lachlan YoungPhilippe d`Orleans
- Hywel BennettColbert
- Richard GriffithsDr. Bourdelot
- Arielle DombaslePrincess de Conde
Recommendations
- 90
Los Angeles Times
Boldly distinctive in its depiction of individuals caught up in a veritable infernal machine designed solely to give pleasure to a monarch, Vatel is a timeless tale of love and sacrifice in a world as opulent as it is cruel. - 70
L.A. Weekly
While the filmmakers are not above corset-drama bed-hopping and back-stabbing, it's delicious when the beds and backs belong to Uma Thurman, Tim Roth and Julian Sands. - 70
TV Guide Magazine
You could hardly ask for more from a historical spectacle: Silly wigs, plunging décolletage, lavish banquets in ornate halls, a stirring score from Ennio Morricone and witty dialogue by Tom Stoppard. - 63
USA Today
The satire is surprisingly tepid. - 50
Village Voice
Vatel is dull and silly, but the holiday season doesn't offer a better sets-and-costumes workshop. - 50
New York Post
Although Vatel is trying to say something about freedom and gilded cages, it feels more like a behind-the-scenes look at the high-end catering business. - 50
New York Daily News
Too much chaos, not enough heart. Bad for the digestion. - 50
Christian Science Monitor
Depardieu gives the story a firm center of gravity, aided by Joffé's eye for colorful settings and period detail.
