Uma Thurman Movie:

Vatel Reviews:
Vatel - a visually rich film
2009-10-11 - Vatel is set in France before the French revolution and when the baroque era and all its grandeur and richness was at its height. The story is apparently a true one and by itself is enough to amuse. However, the lavishness of the era has been illustrated with no expense spared and is a total joy to watch many times over. The astonishing contrast between the rich lifestyle of the decadent ruling class and the exploitation of everyone else is brilliantly portrayed and no-one watching it can be in any doubt why the French revolution took place not too long afterwards.

For those with a taste for all things French...
2009-06-01 - Vatel brings to the screen the story of a French noble's manservant whose task is to set up three-day long extravagant activities to keep King Louis XIV and his entourage entertained.
The setting is Chantilly in 1671 and the Prince de Conde's head steward, Vatel, is trying to put on the show of a lifetime for his master who wishes to be assigned command of the French armies in an upcoming war against the Dutch. Vatel, however, will soon find out that the difficulties encountered go well beyond the technical aspect...
The film brings to the screen two main stories, which are unfolding simultaneously: On the one hand, life at Louis XIV's court (along with the first signs that things are not going well such as wasteful, corrupt, and overly aloof royals, bankrupt nobles, and unpaid creditors; in essence important factors contributing to the 1789 French Revolution that is to come), and on the other, Vatel's inner struggle with his own emotions.
The movie portrays life in France in the seventeenth century and provides valuable insight into a very important period of French (European) History. We get a taste (though a very light one) of France's domestic and foreign political situation (i.e. corruption, clientelism, and cronyism as well as tense Franco-Dutch relations).
Gerard Depardieu, Uma Thurman, Julian Sands, Julian Glover, Tim Roth, and the rest of the cast, have truly outdone themselves with their performances, which are outstanding to say the least! All the actors, without exceptions, give it their 100% and it really shows!
The setting, the dialogues, the music, and the costumes are all wonderful!
Very well written and very well presented, it allows for a thought-provoking movie that will definitely provide for an evening's entertainment.
In short, Vatel is a movie definitely worth watching and one to seriously consider adding to your movie collection (if you haven't done so already)!
Strongly recommended along with Napoleon the TV Miniseries (starring Christian Clavier, Isabella Rossellini, Gerard Depardieu, and John Malkovich), Queen Margot (Isabelle Adjani), Brotherhood of the Wolf (Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel), Marie Antoinette (Kirsten Dunst), and Vidocq (Gerard Depardieu, Ines Sastre, Guillome Canet) for those with a soft spot for France and French History.



Extraordinary...
2009-05-12 - There is indeed a profound and historically rooted yarn here. It will not be realized until the very end and it will take some reflection on the viewer's part. What a visual treat getting there. The cinematography is exemplary. The slow start lays a contextual foundation for the second half of the film that is essential.

I can see why this film would not appeal to passive viewers as it is not going to (nor should it) explain everything to them in explicit grade school language.

Beautiful Cinema, a DVD to enjoy again and again
2009-01-21 - VATEL is one of those rare cinema experiences which has everyting going for it. Excellent script, excellent director, excellent cast.
A visually splendid movie, which anyone who has ever asked 'How did they manage to serve such lavish banquets, and provide such breathtaking entertainment to the court of Louis XIV?' Seeing this DVD will answer many of those questions.
This is not a documentary, but a well crafted piece of cinema, which kept me engrossed right up to the very end.
The sets, costumes and dialogue are all exactly right for the period. The behind the scenes intrigue and the behind the 'scenes' preparations just to ammuse the king, blend together laying bare the pre-French revolution decadance of the court of Louis XIV.
I would highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates the best in historically accurate cinema!

Boring, boring, oh so boring...
2007-05-26 - Half an hour into the movie, I honestly was bored to tears and nearly cringed at this entire film. The only thing that's good about this film is the visuals, but flashy visuals don't mean anything if there's not a story. After just 20 minutes I got tired of watching the actors do nothing more but turn up their noses in snobbery and trying to acquire a French accent, which is not the least bit natural or believable. And Uma Thurman is absolutely boring and lackluster. In general, Vatel was boring. Even if there was an actual story, i wouldn't even care to know.