Vatel (film)

Vatel (film)

Vatel is a 2000 historical drama film directed by Roland Joffé, written by Jeanne Labrune and translated by Tom Stoppard. The film stars Gérard Depardieu, Uma Thurman, and Tim Roth. It is based on the life of 17th-century French chef François Vatel.

Plot

The film is set in 1671. François Vatel is the steward of Prince Louis II de Bourbon-Condé, who wants to regain the favor of King Louis XIV, and thus plans a three-day feast. Vatel is given the responsibility of making the event successful. The film explores Vatel's efforts, the intricacies of court politics, and a forbidden love story.

Cast

• Gérard Depardieu as François Vatel
• Uma Thurman as Anne de Montausier
• Tim Roth as Louis XIV
• Julian Glover as Prince de Condé
• Julian Sands as Marquis de Lauzun

Reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics. It was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival and Depardieu was nominated for the Best Actor Award.

Historical Accuracy

While the film is based on historical events, some liberties were taken with the portrayal of characters and events for dramatic effect. The real François Vatel was indeed a master of ceremonies and a cook for the Prince de Condé, but the love story depicted in the film is fictional.

See Also

• List of historical drama films
• Cinema of France
• Gérard Depardieu filmography
• Uma Thurman filmography
• Tim Roth filmography

External Links

• Vatel at the Internet Movie Database
• Vatel at Rotten Tomatoes
• Vatel at Metacritic