Vatel
Vatel Image
Metascore
44 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.7 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Starring: Gérard Depardieu, Uma Thurman
  • Summary: Set during the reign of France's King Louis XIV (Sands), this film portrays the events of a three-day feast prepared and conducted by Vatel (Depardieu), the king's master of entertainment.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 13
  3. Negative: 3 out of 13
  1. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kevin Thomas
    90
    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.
  2. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Ken Fox
    70
    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.
  3. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: David Sterritt
    50
    Depardieu gives the story a firm center of gravity, aided by Joffé's eye for colorful settings and period detail.
  4. Mr. Showbiz
    Reviewed by: Michael Atkinson
    32
    Joffe's latest is a formless, inanimate lump.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. MaryD.
    10
    Vatel was a gorgeous movie and the mis en scene was gorgeous and you felt you were back in the time period. I have read a lot about the sun king and his court and this brought it vividly to life. Dapardieu, Spall and Glover were excellent in their roles but special kudos to Murray Young who played the kings brother. The critics probably were not familar with the history being shown and so gave it a low score. This is a great movie and I highly recommend it.… Expand
  2. MarstenD.
    2
    This thing blew! I was shocked to see Depardieu and Thurman in a movie that was so utterly without drama, without passion, without any kind of redeeming human quality whatsoever.… Expand

See all 8 User Reviews

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