Vatel
Tags: revenge, intrigue

Plot synopsis:
The story takes place in 1671. In the prelude to the Franco-Dutch War, a financially struggling Louis, Grand Condé is visited by King Louis XIV for three days of festivities at the Château de Chantilly. The Prince wants a commission as a general, and spares no expense in order to impress the king. In charge of organizing the event is François Vatel, Master of Festivities and Pleasures in the prince's household. Vatel is a man of great honor and talent, but of low birth. As the great Condé is prepared to do anything in his quest for stature, the tasks assigned to Vatel are often menial and dishonourable. While Vatel tries to sustain dignity amidst the extravaganza he is meant to orchestrate, he finds himself in love with Anne de Montausier, the king's latest lover, who returns his affections. However, due to their incompatible social standing and the rigid hierarchy of the court, continuing the liaison is clearly impossible.
In the last day of the visit by the King Louis XIV, Vatel realizes that he is nothing more than a puppet in the hands of his superiors, bought and sold like a piece of property, after learning that the Prince of Condé has "lost" him in a card game with the King. Disheartened and refusing to leave his people (the servants of the Château) and go to work for the King, Vatel consequently commits suicide by throwing himself on his sword. Nevertheless, the word that goes to the King by his own court members is that Vatel killed himself because the roast was not sufficient to feed several unexpected guests, the clouds dulled the fireworks display and he lacked confidence that there would be enough fish for the morning meal. This explanation pleases the King very much. Anne de Montausier is grief-stricken upon hearing the news, but knows she must not speak of it. In doing so, she flees the court quietly and no one ever hears about her and Vatel again.

Review: "Vatel" is a French period film with Depardieu as the title character, a master steward under the crown of King Louis XIV whose job it is to put on feasts and spectacles for the pleasures of royalty.
Typical of director Joffe, the film peers deep into the character of Vatel, around whom swirl politicking and wickedness, with such depth and dimension as to make the plot of secondary importance.
Replete with sumptuous sets, elegant costuming, and epicurean delights, the film fills the eye and whets the palate as few films can while it paints a portrait of a sensitive and honorable man who makes the supreme sacrifice for dignity.A superb watch for those into period films painted with delicate brush strokes and subtle nuances..
Roland Joffe's "Vatel" does something few movies can do these days: it takes you to a place you've never been before.The French made film has Louie XIV visiting a poor province ruled by an improverished prince, who must put on spectacular entertainment fit for the Sun King.
There's more than the King's time at stake here, though, for Louie wants the prince to lead his army, should France go to war with Holland, and the Prince desperately needs Louie's financial help, to save his nearly brankrupt province.Enter the prince's chief steward, Vatel, played by Gerard Depardiue.
From pop up lawn decorations to fire works extravaganzas that would shame the Chinese, Vatel displays a genius for spectacle that will literally leave you breathless."Vatel" the movie includes lots of court intrigue and some fine acting from those carrying it out.
It's an understated performance in which much of what is going on is behind his eyes (and probably in his stomach ulcers) rather than on the surface.His protagonists are Julian Sands as the petulant,devious King and Tim Roth as the chief court intriguer, kind of an early version of a political advance man.
Uma Thurman is a lady in waiting who has caught all three men's eyes.All are good, but what sets "Vatel" off is the visuals which give you a look at spectacle the likes of which this writer had never before seen.
Only then we come to understand that this was only a clever device that Louis XIV created to maintain all of these rich dilettante aristocrats busy with life at court to keep them away from the real world and the real politics thus providing him with absolute power (This was his glory not Versailles).
If anything, this movie is a mirror of society at is very worst and best, and a great point of reference to look at ourselves as we were and as we presently are.
Those who pretend that this story is just a boring fantasy of the past of some fertile imagination dressed up in pretty costumes with some period music; they need a better set of glasses than an eye doctor can normally prescribe.
Vatel was not a bad movie, in fact it was worth viewing.
Another good theme was the disfunctionality of the royals and how the servants interacted with these powerful people (Vatel tried not to as much as possible).
If you've ever experienced an unrequited or forbidden (not illicit) love, you'll empathize with the plight of François Vatel, played by Gérard Depardieu, whose performance is characteristically excellent.
The love story is not original (stations interfere with true, but conflicted, love), but the context and visual surroundings -- and the fact that it is historically based -- add an unexpected dimension to the viewing, which is best appreciated on a large screen..
It's one of the few that I have to re-watch, every so often.Now, one of the things that struck me most strongly was the fact of Vatel and Anne's goodness -- this, in spite of where Louis' example might have led them -- with the people who worked with them.The scenes with Vatel and Colin; with Anne and Louise...
This film is about a servant of noble values having to prepare an extravagant feast for the King's visit.Vatel understandably focuses on one single character, Francois Vatel.
Vatel, perhaps a weak title to a spectacular film; it recreates the excesses of the French court in its pre-off-with-their-heads-phase.
The fete is essentially an Olympic opening parade that goes on for three days in dazzling costume orchestrated by one great artist, the Viscount's steward, Vatel.Vatel orchestrates the extravaganzas and falls for Uma Thurman, the King's new mistress.
Indeed, Vatel is a man of integrity, denying the King's pedophile brother a young kitchen boy at the risk of his life.
The story of Francoise Vatel, the Condé's Master of Cerimonies, and the King's three days visit at Condé's Castle.
Depardieu, together with the whole excellent cast and the wonderful sets and costumes, gives us the taste of Vatel's life.
It is deeply frustrating that what could, and should, have been a great period drama, with some fine acting talent, should end up a dull, mediocre piece of cinema.
Uma Thurman appears to be totally miscast in the role of Vatel's secret admirer, and her performance is dull, emotionless and sometimes irritating.
This is probably the one true great moment in the film, but it seems to get in the way of the one piece of entertainment on offer to us and the tragic impact is lost completely.On balance, it is the ending that is the greatest disappointment.
The final scenes lack any emotional impact or integrity and overall the film appears shallow and insubstantial.A totally wasted opportunity..
I enjoyed this movie due to the historical treatment of how politics played out during the time of the European kingdoms.
Gerard Depardieu gives a good performance and the costumes and scenery are exquisite..
This is a movie made for His Majesty Gérard Depardieu,with an absurd supporting cast and lots and lots of wasted money.
Depardieu is everywhere in the movie and reduces the others characters to walk-ons.Roland Joffé films everything he can,and tries to impress the audience with fireworks,audacious camera tricks,Fellini-inspired settings but he does not create anything.The Sun King is featured but he pales into insignificance ,which is a shame all the same!His brother is first shown as a wicked perverse man (in the French tradition:for that matter,take a look at the "Angélique "series)when the historians describe him as an admittedly gay man but a human being who was courageous,generous with the vanquished at war,and finally gentle(see "Monsieur,frère du roi" by Philippe Erlanger).At least his last line shows his real nature but it's too little too late.But the biggest bomb is Tim Roth's Lauzun!The duc de Lauzun was a Gascon ,who was always cracking jokes ,a bon vivant,fond of women ,so insolent that he was finally sent to the Pignerol jail where he met again Vatel's former master,Nicolas Fouquet -the movie briefly hints at him-.Tim Roth's sullen face is by no means duc de Lauzun,this joker who would marry the king 's cousin ,la grande Mademoiselle,a spinster,for her dough:oddly this colorful dowager does not appear at all.Montespan,La Vallière do,but they do walk-on parts.(Only one line each:Montespan:"I'm coming up" Vallière:'I'm coming down",the only touch of humor in the whole movie) Queen Marie-Therèse is not well portrayed either:she was rather ugly,gauche and self-effacing.Here she seems to outshine Montespan,which is rather odd!.
Great intriguing story and premise, with the best possible cast you could wish for, yet the net result is a boring slow self congratulatory journey through pretension and psuedo intelect masquerading as art.
VATEL: Good actors, a good film but certainly not the best one of 2000.
Gérard Depardieu is known for his historical films, in which he his master.
But this films isn't every historical it is always about food and the please the king Louis XIV.
Uma Thurman, Tim Roth & Gérard Depardieu gave good performances but this film was to flat.
But the principal error is the beauty of a movie in which food, costumes, colors, words, art in every form transforms the story in ordinary pretext.Depardieu is a brilliant Vatel and his impressive talent, his artistic force are reflected in acting.
You will be impressed by the beauty of the scenes and discover the public show technics used under French King, Louis the 14th.
This is to establish that kings are human and that Vatel is of the History-as-a-collection-of-body-fluids school of movie-making, of which 'Le Roi danse' is a prime example.
the delicate precision of the making the story, the tension, Gerard Depardieu as the only reasonable choice for the lead role are pieces for a fascinating trip across mysteries and across the spirit of a century.
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.
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 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.
These two films are visually superior to "Vatel", as well.
Whatever little intrigue and plot there is tends to be unpleasant rather than fascinating.Who cares whether Vatel's boss or some other moron gets to fight the king's war?
Certainly, this movie will get some academy awards for sets/costumes.Gerard Depardieu is a brilliant french actor, and anyone could tell that he was having problems with the english language which probably impeded his natural style.
The inventions and spectacles that Vatel creates are truly amazing, but there doesn't seem to be any real depth or passion in the character.
The film tries to do too much, and in the end is just a superficial glimpse of what could have been a great story..
Gérard Depardieu wandered through this movie looking dazed and confused.
Uma Thurman sat around looking sad and wistful and, for some reason not really explained, fell in love with Depardieu.
If you must, watch the movie for the setting and costumes but don't expect heavy drama or deep historical significance..
It is sad that a great cast worked on a movie as profoundly boring and meaningless as Vatel.
Unless it was to present a good-looking, but meaningless film OR a movie with some of the worst dialogues ever seen in a serious movie and the kind of plot so thin that you have to work really hard to see it is indeed there.
OK, I said that I didn't care for much of this review but that is because Vatel is a movie where stuff sort of happens to cardboard figures which are there to try to fill our need for a character.
Vatel is a movie to be relished for those not with time to spare but who will spare the time this film deserves.
-- is he really like this or is this a persona he has perfected?), but this interpretation of perhaps the world's first great French chef (played by Gerard Depardieu, typically inimitable) makes one think twice about the current excesses of Emeril, Puck & Co. on TV..............
Duc de Condé's employee, François Vatel (1631-1678) was in charge of cooking, and preparing shows for the French King Louis XIVth when he once come in the castle of Chantilly, owned by de Condé.
Read (again) Sévigné to know more about Vatel.In the movie, he falls in love with a King's mistress (Uma), he is refined, very competent (he even invents the whipped cream "crème Chantilly").
The movie shows three days of banquets.The brilliant Gérard Depardieu is Vatel.
Gerard portrays the character Vatel perfectly, the "party liaison", shall we say, who is trying to help Prince de Conde' regain the favor of the King, Louis XIV, to save his bankrupt province by putting together a massive weekend of splendor and banquets.
Maybe it is because that is what those aristocrats do all day, but they don't have to let it actually occupy most of the movie.The film did convey the contrast the lives of aristocrats and the merely normal people.
All Dressed Up with Nothing To Do. Despite the best efforts of talented actors like Uma Thurman and Tim Roth, director Roland Joffe's film lacks any sign of character depth.
In fact, they don't have much to do, other than enjoying the amazing masterpieces of entertainment that Vatel (a horrid Depardieu) puts together.
It was quite obviously played as indoor croquet.I felt that the film conveyed the story of a downtrodden manager who attempted all for his master only to be shafted in the end.
A brief fling with a courtesan, one that means much more to him than to her, contributes to his final act of frustration and despair.I'm sure that others will find historical inaccuracies, a fault of the production team, but I'm prepared to accept them as part of the process of bringing a story to film.
Never let the facts get in the way of a good story telling.Altogether an interesting movie that makes a telling commentary on the excesses of the French aristocracy of the time.JC.
) to welcome and to host the king of France, who was very much impressed with the work done by this man, Vatel (Depardieu).
The plot showed an efficient acting of Depardieu, and poor one from Uma Thurman and Tim Roth, probably due to the roles given by the director to them.
Any true gourmand knows the story of Vatel -- and that he died for his art.
I didn't care that this wasn't Depardieu's best film or that it wasn't that well-acted.
SOME SPOILERS AHEADThe movie was mildly interesting as it describes (what I call) the "Martha Stewart" of 17th Century France, Francois Vatel.
What saved this film was Gerard Depardieu's performance as the title character who organizes all the interior decorating, shows, and meals prepared for the coming of King Louis XIV to a chateau in Chantilly.
Uma Thurman's performance as Vatel's love interest is well, below mediocre.
French/English period piece, the story of Vatel..
Gérard Depardieu is François Vatel, I'm not sure what his actual title was, but he was a combination of master chef, kitchen manager, estate manager, and live show producer.
The setting for the whole story is the country estate, over a few days, when the king of France, Louis XIV, and his vast party are dropping in for some peace and quiet.
Meanwhile, the merchants who provided food and other supplies were put off until then, and it fell to Vatel to convince them that the money would come.Much of the middle story involves the spoiled and decadent behavior the king and his vast traveling party.
Uma Thurman is the vaguely British Anne de Montausier, having an affair with the king, but attracted to Vatel.
A good movie for those who enjoy realistic period pieces.MAJOR SPOILER.
When Uma's character sleeps with the king she looks at herself in the mirror and sees herself as an object for the first time.I thought this film was all about the powerlessness people felt during this time.
However, we were both wondering (and I hope someone out there can tell me more)--are the special effects, such as the incredible set that appears around King Louis XIV, anachronisms?
I loved the end, as it was a wonderful way for Gerard Depardieu's character to stand up to the King and make a statement about freedom.
So, while we agreed on almost the whole film (she gave it a 6 and I gave it a 7), I was left feeling more positive about the film because I have a very high tolerance for depressing and dreadful endings that many people will not enjoy.Overall, not a great film but worth seeing--particularly if you like costume dramas..
Good looking film needs more passion.
Conde has put the 3 day feast and all of the entertainment in the hands of Francois Vatel (Gerard Depardieu) who can work magic when it comes to preparing feasts even though he may not have enough food.
At times he is forced to tell some of the royal guests "No" to certain extravagances and this has caught the eye of Anne de Montausier (Uma Thurman) who has become the Kings new mistress and also has to repel the advances of the Marquis de Lauzun (Tim Roth).
The look of the film is very impressive and the Art Design was nominated for an Oscar.
We watch Vatel in this film spend too much time poking his fingers in pots and tasting the food.
I do think Depardieu is good in this film and Thurman isn't bad either.
But Vatel, a superb movie about the creation of spectacle, misses perfection precisely because its director eschewed a spectacularly upbeat Hollywood ending, presumably in deference to historical accuracy.
Vatel is one of the most dazzlingly complex yet perfectly executed movies ever made -- with superb casting, great direction, sublime performances, and magnificent production values in every detail.
But it just did not fit with the humane and careful character of Vatel so wonderfully created by Gérard Depardieu in this film.
As much as I admired most of Vatel, I so hated the ending that I doubt I will ever watch it again, and I cannot in good conscience recommend it.