Vatel

Most period mega films take poetic license, distorting history. Vatel, is is as realistic as it gets, great performances from Roth,Gerard and Uma, make this a sparking film.... Full review

I enjoyed this movie due to the historical treatment of how politics played out during the time of the European kingdoms. Money is always the problem and the money is always from the poor for the selfishness of the rich---some things... Full review

The film gives an insight on the French Monarchy which is interesting as a history. Drapieu was convincing. His suisidal death was probably his last genius act, expressing his suffering and dilemma. This was probably the suffering of a whole nation.... Full review

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. In order to escape bankruptcy, the gout afflicted Viscount must entertain the King so sumptuously and so entreatingly, that the King... Full review

The film's production value is in league with the best sci-fi films; yet it was a legit piece about European Court in the 17th Century and the impact of the monarchical system of government on love, money, culture and politics. If... Full review

This is a magnificent movie which depicts french society in the 1670's. It is a wonderful story and a classic!... Full review

Vatel is a charming historical romance immersed in old French drollerie and wit. Depardieu is at his finest as usual, being the lead character, Thurman also delicately and bautifully portrays Louis the 14nth's mistress who has an affair with Vatel. Simply... Full review

Letting yourself be submerged by the visual aspects of this subtle but not so fast movie is the key to its understanding. The images are rich and varied; the atmosphere is deep in history if not somewhat accurate at least attempts... Full 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,... Full review

I confess that I'm a sucker for French cinema, and maybe that's why I enjoyed Vatel , which didn't get great reviews when it opened in this country. The magnificent Gerard Depardieu plays what you might call the ultimate party planner who's given his most demanding assignment when his employer, Julian Glover , announces that King Louis XIV himself is going to visit. ... Full Review

The drive to serve the king of France, or the public, or the studio is not quite the same as the drive to make great food or a great movie. Vatel" is in the running for an Academy Award for best art direction after being released briefly late last year for Oscar consideration. ... Full Review

Roland Joffé's visually resplendent costume drama leaves no doubt as to what the mighty Miramax machine is gunning for:....Depardieu struggles with the English language dialogue....Roth-who gives the film's most interesting performance--is onscreen just little enough to show how listless most of the film is..... ... Full Review

Depardieu, that ever-busy but always admirable actor, does his best at instilling some humanity into the empty proceedings....Murray Lachlan Young, as the king's decadent gay brother, is an unappetizing stereotype.... ... Full Review

The ideas behind "Vatel" are quite interesting, as the title character struggles to maintain his dignity as a human being in a rigid social hierarchy that places him towards the bottom of the pecking order. Vatel feels that his genuine artistry and the elevated position that accompanies it make him impervious to the social order, and doesn't realise until it is too late that he is merely prostituting his talents to please the Court (a journey that is mirrored in a more literal way with the character of Ann ... Full Review

I am glad an important critic like yourself is recommending VATEL.This movie was a masterpiece to me--it had excellent acting, a wonderful, opulent mis-en-scene and had an interesting storyline. ... Full Article

Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment. On shelves February 12. Directed by Roland Joffe, Vatel is set in 17th Century France, where festivities are being organised for the coming arrival of the King of France. ... Full Article

"Vatel" lavishes beaucoup francs on re-creating the court of the Sun King, Louis XIV, in the France of 1671, and then kills the effect with a script that's from hunger. ... Full Article

"I am a steward, not a pimp," protests Gérard Depardieu, the titular, tragic hero of Vatel, upon hearing that a member of Louis XIV's court (specifically, the king's brother), in town for the weekend, has requested the company of one... ... Full Article

The king's visit would be an awful occasion, unless, of course, one could profit from it. In April 1671, King Louis XIV of France (Julian Sands) chose to meet with envoys from Holland - to determine relations of peace or... ... Full Article

"I am a steward, not a pimp," protests Gérard Depardieu, the titular, tragic hero of Vatel, upon hearing that a member of Louis XIV's court (specifically, the king's brother), in town for the weekend, has requested the company of one... ... Full Article