Vatel

2000

Vatel (2000)

TOMATOMETER

31%
27%

Critic Consensus: Visually sumptuous, but unengaging.

AUDIENCE SCORE

61%

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Movie Info

In 1671, Francois Vatel, a master chef, entertainer and steward, is hired by the Prince de Conde to prepare an important feast for the upcoming arrival of King Louis XIV. However, it will take nothing short of a miracle to prepare a fete fitting for royalty while Conde's provinces rest on the verge of financial ruin. Vatel, however, is a culinary genius possessing a heightened sense of resourcefulness with which to resolve each new crisis that threatens to damper the festivities. He is caught off guard by only one unforseen factor -- the ravishing beauty of royal newcomer, the regal Anne de Montausier. Not only has she caught the king's eye but also those of Vatel and the king's nasty aide the Marquis de Lauzon. To the monarch and the marquis she is but a sexual conquest, but Vatel and Anne recognize the decency and honesty in each other, qualities in short supply in the rarefied world in which they exist.

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Cast

Gérard Depardieu
as Francois Vatel
Uma Thurman
as Anne De Montausier
Tim Roth
as Marquis De Lauzun
Timothy Spall
as Gourville
Julian Glover
as Prince De Conde
Julian Sands
as Louis XIV
Murray Lachlan Young
as Philippe d'Orleans
Hywel Bennett
as Colbert
Richard Griffiths
as Dr. Bourdelot
Arielle Dombasle
as Princess de Conde
Marine Delterme
as Athenais de Montespan
Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu
as Duchesse de Longueville
Jérôme Pradon
as Marquis D'Effiat
Feodor Atkine
as Alcalet
Nathalie Cerda
as The Queen Marie-Therese
Emilie Ohana
as Louise de la Valliere
Sebastien Davis
as Demaury
Natacha Koutchoumov
as Louise de la Valliere's Maid
Nick Robinson
as Colin
Patrick Saverioni
as Rochefort
Julie-Anne Roth
as Maidservant
Alain Stern
as Sharp Equerry
James Thierree
as Duc de Longueville
Geoffrey Bateman
as Balmour
Nicholas Hawtrey
as Lauzun's Secretary
Paul Brandey
as Comte de Mirail
David Gablson
as Creditor Guillaume
Louise Vincent
as Woman Creditor
André Chaumeau
as Monkey Handler
Jay Benedict
as King's Commode Valet
Dominique Frot
as Hysterical Woman
Leslie Clack
as Whipping Courtier
David Houri
as Vicomte d'Amboise
Christophe Prevost
as Lantern Deliveryman
Ron Forfar
as Melon Deliveryman
Albert Goldberg
as Leviathan Worker
Vincent Grass
as Martin's Father
Patty Hannock
as Duchesse at the Banquet
Fiona Curzon
as Woman at the Banquet
Adrian Pochna
as Foot Servant
Jerome Duranteau
as Cavalry Officer
Patrick Albenque
as Soldier at Chateau Gate
Vincent Nemeth
as Emissary
Edwin Apps
as Fish Deliveryman
Helen Later
as Servant with Flowers
Remi Roubakha
as Cook
Kevin Greenlaw
as Baritone
Joachim Serreau
as Young Servant
Pia LaGrange
as Duc d'Ambroise's Sister
Lionel Vitrant
as Large Cook
Alexandre Chaussat
as Cook's Apprentice
Louis Bustin
as Martin
James Ney
as Colin's Friend
William Hough
as Colin's Friend
Jesse Gage
as Colin's Friend
Capucine Daumas
as Danseuse
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Critic Reviews for Vatel

All Critics (32) | Top Critics (11)

It's too turgid with its own upholstered pomp.

Sep 26, 2002
New York Magazine/Vulture
Top Critic

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

Feb 16, 2001 | Rating: 0.5/5
Rolling Stone
Top Critic

It's just deadly, deadly dull.

Jan 10, 2001 | Full Review…
CNN.com
Top Critic

A costume drama with far more costumes than drama.

Dec 25, 2000 | Rating: 2.5/5
New York Times
Top Critic

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

Dec 25, 2000 | Rating: 4.5/5 | Full Review…
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic

An improbable, if sumptuous, bore.

Dec 22, 2000 | Full Review…
Newsday
Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (32)

Audience Reviews for Vatel

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 are required at Versailles, but at a cost too dear for this man of humble origins. The cast is superb (Thurman and Roth bear special mention), the scenery is extravagent, and the story has enough twists and turns to keep the viewer engaged for its near two hour length. The costuming and sets alone are worth the price of admission. At a time when a king's displeasure was paid for with one's life, and honor often took a back seat to expediency, a man like Vatel invited envy as well as admiration. And in rare instances the affections of a lady.

Mark Abell
Mark Abell

Super Reviewer

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