Taglines: Some men are too noble to live among aristocracy.
The story takes place in 1671. In the context of 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.
Vatel is a 2000 French-British historical-drama film directed by Roland Joffé, written by Jeanne Labrune and translated by Tom Stoppard, and starring Gérard Depardieu, Uma Thurman, Tim Roth, Timothy Spall, Julian Glover and Julian Sands. The film, based on the life of 17th-century French chef François Vatel, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Art Direction – Set Decoration. The film opened the 2000 Cannes Film Festival.
Vatel (2000)
Directed by: Roland Joffé
Starring: Gérard Depardieu, Tim Roth, Uma Thurman, Julian Sands, Timothy Spall, Julian Glover, Arielle Dombasle, Marine Delterme, Jérôme Pradon, Nathalie Cerda
Screenplay by: Jeanne Labrune, Tom Stoppard
Cinematography by: Cecilia Montiel, Jean Rabasse
Costume Design by Yvonne Sassinot de Nesle
Art Direction by: Louise Marzaroli
Makeup Departdment: Marianne Collette
Music by: Ennio Morricone
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sexual content and some violence.
Distributed by: Gaumont
Release Date: May 10, 2000
Visits: 74
