Vatel

Name: Vatel
Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance
Released: December 25, 2000
Duration: 103 min
Rating: 44
Cast: Gérard Depardieu, Uma Thurman

2000

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Mixed or average reviews based on 13 Critics

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Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Ratings

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6.5

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6.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Miramax Films | Release Date: December 25, 2000

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.

Director: Roland Joffé

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 103 min

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Critic Reviews

Los Angeles Times - Kevin Thomas

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. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine - Ken Fox

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. Read full review

L.A. Weekly - Hazel-Dawn Dumpert

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. Read full review

The New York Times - A.O. Scott

The movie wants desperately to function as a romantic tragedy, with passions glancing off the thoughtless pursuit of satisfaction. But Vatel can't really define the differences between the two; it settles into a period funk, as shallow as the court popinjays it seeks to expose. Read full review

New York Daily News - Jami Bernard

Too much chaos, not enough heart. Bad for the digestion. Read full review

Christian Science Monitor - David Sterritt

Depardieu gives the story a firm center of gravity, aided by Joffé's eye for colorful settings and period detail. Read full review

Rolling Stone - Peter Travers

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

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User Reviews

MaryD.

Jun 1, 2007

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 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

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FilipeNeto

Feb 12, 2018

A glimpse of the luxurious life of the Sun King

This film tells the story of François Vatel, a master of ceremonies at the service of Prince Louis II of Condé, one of the most important aristocrats of the French court but that was bankrupt and away of the good graces of King Louis XIV. TheA glimpse of the luxurious life of the Sun King

This film tells the story of François Vatel, a master of ceremonies at the service of Prince Louis II of Condé, one of the most important aristocrats of the French court but that was bankrupt and away of the good graces of King Louis XIV. The approaching of a war with the Netherlands makes Condé, anxious to led the king's armies, decides to invite the king for a weekend at his Castle of Chantilly, hoping to be able to recover the royal sympathy. Then Vatel is in charge of organizing a three-day party like never seen before for king's amusement. Based on historical events, the film is directed by Roland Joffé, has argument by Jeanne Labrune (in original French version) and features Gérard Depardieu (Vatel), Uma Thurman (in the role of Anne of Montausier, one of the king's lovers) and Tim Roth (as the Marquis de Lauzun, the king's confidant).

Joffé managed to make the audience relive the events. The environments, the locations for filming, the costumes, the music, everything was thought out and analyzed carefully to reproduce the atmosphere of the time, so we must congratulate this effort for historical accuracy, which even received a nomination for the Oscar for Best Art Direction. The actors met well with their roles. The script also works in interesting ways, including some situations where we glimpse the contrast (and even shock) of the two worlds of seventeenth-century France: the richness and unparalleled luxury of the court and the absolute misery of the common people. Also positive note for the soundtrack of Enio Morricone, although not one of his best-known or most interesting compositions.… Expand

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MarstenD.

Aug 22, 2006

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.

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BrauteJarcor

Nov 10, 2015

Ni la vi, pero la riso me la dio de tarea. QUiero saber si puedo cambiar el promedio de metacritic, porque quiero tener influencia. Aguante uma thurman vieja.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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