In 1671, with war brewing with Holland, a penniless prince invites Louis XIV to three days of festivities at a chateau in Chantilly. The prince wants a commission as a general, so the extravagances are to impress the king. In charge of all is the steward, Vatel, a man of honor, talent, and low birth. The prince is craven in his longing for stature: no task is too menial or dishonorable for him to give Vatel. While Vatel tries to sustain dignity, he finds himself attracted to Anne de Montausier, the king's newest mistress. In Vatel, she finds someone who's authentic, living out his principles within the casual cruelties of court politics. Can the two of them escape unscathed?
Production
Feast scenes so lavish you'll smell the sugar sculptures.
Costume
Every ruff and ribbon screams money you'll never have.
Acting
Depardieu's weary nobility carries the whole crumbling court.
Director
Roland Joffé
Gérard Depardieu
Francois Vatel
Uma Thurman
Anne de Montausier
Tim Roth
Marquis de Lauzun
Timothy Spall
Gourville
Julian Glover
Prince de Conde
Julian Sands
Louis XIV
Murray Lachlan Young
Philippe d`Orleans
Hywel Bennett
Colbert
Richard Griffiths
Dr. Bourdelot
Arielle Dombasle
Princess de Conde
Marine Delterme
Athenais de Montespan
Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu
Duchesse de Longueville
Féodor Atkine
Alcalet
Nathalie Cerda
Königin Marie-Therese
Natacha Koutchoumov
Louise de la Vallière's Maid
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The real Vatel invented crème Chantilly; the film's kitchen scenes used 80,000 real props.
Released the same year as Gladiator, this forgotten cousin asks: what if the help refused to be entertainment?
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