Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations
Overwiew :In 1671, Francois Vatel, a master chef, entertainer and steward, is hired by the Prince de Conde to prepare an important feast for the upcoming arrival of King Louis XIV. However, it will take nothing short of a miracle to prepare a fete fitting for royalty while Conde's provinces rest on the verge of financial ruin. Vatel, however, is a culinary genius with a heightened sense of resourcefulness with which to resolve each new crisis that threatens to damper the festivities. He is caught off guard by only one unforseen factor -- the ravishing beauty of royal newcomer, the regal Anne de Montausier. Not only has she caught the king's eye but also those of Vatel and the king's nasty aide the Marquis de Lauzon. To the monarch and the marquis she is but a sexual conquest, but Vatel and Anne recognize the decency and honesty in each other, qualities in short supply in the rarefied world in which they exist.
Starring :Gerard Depardieu, Uma Thurman, Tim Roth, Julian Glover, Julian Sands, Murray Lachlan Young, Timothy Spall, Hywel Bennett, Richard Griffiths, Arielle Dombasle, Marine Delterme, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Jerome Pradon, Feodor Atkine, Nathalie Cerda, Emilie Ohana, Sebastien Davis, Natacha Koutchoumov, Nick Robinson, Patrick Saverioni, Julie-Anne Roth, Alain Stern, James Thierree, Geoffrey Bateman, Nicholas Hawtrey, Paul Brandey, David Gablson, Louise Vincent, Andre Chaumeau, Jay Benedict, Dominique Frot, Leslie Clack, David Houri, Christophe Prevost, Ron Forfar, ALbert Goldberg, Vincent Grass, Patty Hannock, Fiona Curzon, Adrian Pochna, Jerome Duranteau, Patrick Albenque, Vincent Nemeth, Edwin Apps, Helen Later, Remi Roubakha, Kevin Greenlaw, Joachim Serreau, Pia LaGrange, Lionel Vitrant, Alexandre Chaussat, Louis Bustin, James Ney, William Hough, Jess Gage
Producers :
Alain Goldman, Roland Joffe, Timothy Burrill, Catherine Morisse
Writers :
Jeanne LaBrune, Jeanne LaBrune, Tom Stoppard, Tom Stoppard
Critic Reviews
Grade
TV Guide - Ken Fox : ...an absolute triumph of costume and production design... more...
B
filmcritic.com - Christopher Null : The story lacks complexity, but Depardieu's performance is persuasive and of course the costumes and sets are incredible. more...
B
Film Threat - Michael Dequina : ...a stillborn piece of work. more...
C-
Film Journal International - David Noh : ...long on earnestness but little else. more...
Critic Reviews
