Vatel (2000)

In 1671, with war brewing with Holland, a penniless prince invites Louis XIV to three days of festivities at a chateau in Chantilly. The prince wants a commission as a general, so the ... See full summary »

Director:

Roland Joffé

Writers:

Jeanne Labrune, Tom Stoppard (English adaptation)

Stars:

Gérard Depardieu, Uma Thurman, Tim Roth

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

In 1671, with war brewing with Holland, a penniless prince invites Louis XIV to three days of festivities at a chateau in Chantilly. The prince wants a commission as a general, so the extravagances are to impress the king. In charge of all is the steward, Vatel, a man of honor, talent, and low birth. The prince is craven in his longing for stature: no task is too menial or dishonorable for him to give Vatel. While Vatel tries to sustain dignity, he finds himself attracted to Anne de Montausier, the king's newest mistress. In Vatel, she finds someone who's authentic, living out his principles within the casual cruelties of court politics. Can the two of them escape unscathed?

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Plot Keywords:

prince | king | holland | court | mistress | 

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Taglines:

Some men are too noble to live among aristocracy.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content and some violence

Details

Official Sites:

Miramax Films [United States] behind the design, trailer Vatel

Country:

France UK Belgium

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 May 2000 (France)

Also Known As:

I kongens magt

Box Office

Budget:

$36,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$4,136 (USA) (29 December 2000)

Gross:

ESP 73,280,628 (Spain) (29 June 2001)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Légende Entreprises, Gaumont, Canal+

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film opened the 2000 Cannes Film Festival.

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Goofs

William of Orange is referred to as "King of Holland". He was Stadhouder of the Seven United Netherlands, never King of Holland.

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Quotes

Louis XIV: You look pale, Prince. Are you ill?
Prince de Condé: Your Majesty is gracious to enquire.
Louis XIV: Yes.

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Connections

Featured in Comandante (2003)

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Soundtracks

"L'Air d'Absalom"
(from opera "Absalom")
Composed by Giovanni Paolo Colonna
Performed by Gemma Coma-Alabert, mezzo-soprano, L'Orchestre 'La Tempesta' by Patrick Bismute
Conducted by Jean-Michel Bernard

User Reviews

Depardieu is brilliant

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 may commission a war with Holland, thereby paying the Viscount's debts. To keep the King and his courtiers entertained, it was no small thing, so the entire countryside is enlisted in the feasts and entertainment. None will be paid unless the banquets are a success. Louis' entourage of Queen, mistresses, and waggish cavaliers run riot through the festivities. 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. She is not yet the jaded courtesan and sees greatness in Vatel's can-do veneer. Indeed, Vatel is a man of integrity, denying the King's pedophile brother a young kitchen boy at the risk of his life. Vatel swats away meddling noblemen and women for the entire feast while making love to Thurman, star-crossed lovers though they are. Gerard Depardieu is brilliant even with his modest grasp of English.