Vatel

Review, by David Sterritt

In this historically-based film, the setting is the Château of the Prince de Condé, the date is April 1671. François Vatel is a devoted aide to the old, prideful, and now impoverished Prince de Condé. The Prince needs to gain favour with King Louis XIV and hopes dearly to be awarded commmand of a new military campaign against the Dutch.

Vatel is assigned to receive the entire Court of Versailles at the Château de Chantilly. The festivities shall last three days and three nights...

Directed by: Roland Joffé
Written by: Tom Stoppard, Jeanne Labrune
Starring: Gérard Depardieu, Tim Roth, Uma Thurman, Julian Sands, Timothy Spall, Arielle Dombasle, Marine Delterme, Julian Glover