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Vatel (2000)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 4.6/10
Reviews Counted: 32
Fresh: 10 | Rotten: 22

Visually sumptuous, but unengaging.

Average Rating: 4.4/10
Critic Reviews: 11
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 8

Visually sumptuous, but unengaging.

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Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 4,186

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Movie Info

A man hoping to win the favor of a King finds that his heart has gotten in the way in this lavishly-produced comedy-drama. In 1671, the Prince du Conde (Julian Glover) is a figure of French nobility who is deep in debt and suffering from gout. Hoping to buoy his fortunes and his reputation, du Conde wants to win command of the French Army in an anticipated conflict with Holland. When du Conde receives word from the Marquis de Lauzun (Tim Roth) that that King Louis XIV (Julian Sands) wishes to

PG-13, 1 hr. 57 min.

Art House & International, Drama

Directed By: Roland Joff�

Written By: Tom Stoppard, Jeanne Labrune

In Theaters: Dec 25, 2000 Wide

On DVD: Aug 7, 2001

Miramax

Cast

Feodor Atkine
Alcalet
Hywel Bennett
Colbert
G�rard Depardieu
Francois Vatel
Arielle Dombasle
Princesse De Conde
Julian Glover
Prince De Conde
Richard Griffiths
Dr. Bourdelot
Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu
Duchess De Longueville
J�r�me Pradon
Marquis D'Effiat
Nick Robinson
Colin
Tim Roth
Marquis De Lauzun
Julian Sands
Louis XIV
Timothy Spall
Gourville
Uma Thurman
Anne De Montausier

Critic Reviews for Vatel

All Critics (36) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (10) | Rotten (22) | DVD (4)

It's too turgid with its own upholstered pomp.

September 26, 2002 Full Review Source: New York Magazine

| Comment

Peter Rainer

New York Magazine

Top Critic

This putrid dish marks a new low for director Roland Joffe.

February 16, 2001 Comment

Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

Top Critic

It's just deadly, deadly dull.

January 10, 2001 Full Review Source: CNN.com

| Comment (1)

Paul Tatara

CNN.com

Top Critic

A costume drama with far more costumes than drama.

December 25, 2000 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Elvis Mitchell

New York Times

Top Critic

A landmark in world cinema not merely for sheer grandeur but also attention to dense authenticity.

December 25, 2000 Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times

| Comment

Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

Top Critic

An improbable, if sumptuous, bore.

December 22, 2000 Full Review Source: Newsday

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Jan Stuart

Newsday

Top Critic

Una cinta digna de verse, y visualmente deliciosa.

February 20, 2005 Full Review Source: Cinenganos

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Alex Ramirez

Cinenganos

Period costume dramas are always expected to offer opulent pageantry, but in the case of Vatel, that's all there is.

December 8, 2002 Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com

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Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

The richest and most intriguing portrait of period piece duty and subjugated happiness since The Remains of the Day.

September 23, 2002 Full Review Source: Entertainment Today

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Brent Simon

Entertainment Today

A costume drama with all costume and no drama.

April 16, 2002 Comment

David Cornelius

Hollywood Bitchslap

It lacks an understanding of the harmonies and contrasts in the very society he is trying to expose to ridicule.

October 1, 2001 Full Review Source: Jacksonville Film Journal

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Dan Jardine

Jacksonville Film Journal

Decadence befitting a dozen kings

August 12, 2001 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com

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Christopher Null

Filmcritic.com

May be opulent, but it's not deep.

March 5, 2001 Full Review Source: eye WEEKLY

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Catharine Tunnacliffe

eye WEEKLY

Joffe's extravaganza is a hollow, if pretty, shell.

February 23, 2001 Full Review Source: Jam! Movies

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Bruce Kirkland

Jam! Movies

For all the opulence, there's a distinct overall glumness in tone.

February 7, 2001 Full Review Source: Film Journal International

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David Noh

Film Journal International

A completely unnecessary movie.

January 11, 2001 Comment

Eric Lurio

Greenwich Village Gazette

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Vatel

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A quite entertaining costume drama filled with intrigue and debauchery. Integrity was highly prized and rarely found in the court of Louis XIV. Vatel (Gerard Depardieu) is in charge of providing lavish entertainment and banquets for the king's visit and discharges his duties without flaw. So much so, that his services

July 30, 2009

Mark Abell

Super Reviewer

I Love the Extravagance during the Louis XIV Period in France, the Lavish Food Presentations(Chicken Covered in Chocolate), Fireworks, Entertainment as a High Art Form.I love all the Actors in this, & as a Foodie, & a person who appreciates all things Over The Top Gorgeous, this Film is very Special to me.This Story

June 1, 2011