Vatel (2000)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Roland Joffé

Writers:

Jeanne Labrune (writer)
Tom Stoppard (English adaptation)

Release Date:

10 May 2000 (Belgium)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Some men are too noble to live among aristocracy.

Plot:

In 1671, with war brewing with Holland, a penniless prince invites Louis XIV to three days of festivities at a chateau in Chantilly...

Plot Keywords:

Mistress | Chateau | Master Servant | Nobility | Gay

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Gérard Depardieu	...	François Vatel
Uma Thurman	...	Anne de Montausier
Tim Roth	...	Marquis de Lauzun
Timothy Spall	...	Gourville
Julian Glover	...	Prince de Condé
Julian Sands	...	Louis XIV
Murray Lachlan Young	...	Philippe d'Orleans, 'Monsieur'
Hywel Bennett	...	Colbert
Richard Griffiths	...	Dr. Bourdelot
Arielle Dombasle	...	Princess de Condé
Marine Delterme	...	Athenaïs de Montespan
Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu	...	Duchesse de Longueville
Jérôme Pradon	...	Marquis d'Effiat
Féodor Atkine	...	Alcalet
Nathalie Cerda	...	The Queen Marie-Thérèse

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for sexual content and some violence.

Runtime:

103 min | Argentina:125 min

Country:

France | UK | Belgium

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | Netherlands:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | France:U | Germany:12 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:7 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | USA:PG-13

Company:

Légende Entreprises

Trivia:

The film opened the 2000 Cannes Film Festival.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: During the evening banquet on the second day, there are fireworks. The music played and sung (heard) is 'Music for the Royal Fireworks'. G. F. Handel composed this piece in 1749. The movie is set in 1671. It had not been composed by that time.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Le cinéma passe à table (2005) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Music for the Royal Fireworks

Visually stunning look at the technology and society of "Court"

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 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 movie's historical elements offer a surprising look at the available technology, even if the applications were anticipated. 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.