Vatel (2000)

Boring, boring, oh so boring...
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.

VATEL:Your life is not your own when owned by the King
No matter how much the King may says he favours you,in the end you are still his property,and therefore dispensible! This is the harsh reality of Court Life under the reign of Louis X1V.Everyone is a puppet,dancing,singing,cooking and even performing sexually for the pleasure of the King.Enter a bankrupt Prince who seeks to regain the favour of the King by planning the most sumptuous weekend entertainments of spectacle and mirth.He calls upon his chief steward,Vatel (Depardieu) as the only one who could pull off such a fete.All stops are to be pulled out,and Vatel tirelessly attends to every decadent detail.It is during the planning of this amusement that Vatel is captivated by Anne (UmaThurman),a stunning Courtier whose very existence also is held in the balance by the King.These two see their very existence and worth devalued to the point of death and ignominity over this weekend,as they both come to the stark realization that their lives are not their own,and never will be.VATEL is a startling and sadly true tale.Movies with such screenplays and attention to costumes and set that are so boldly and intricately made are relatively rare; but when the likes of renowned playright Tom Stoppard and orchestrater/composer Ennio Morricone and director Roland Joffe are involved it is tough to have anything but a hugely entertaining success.VATEL succeeds on ALL LEVELS.Once seen it will likely never be forgotten.Lovers of Early French Baroque music will be enthralled with a soundtrack that is filled with the tunes of Jean-Phillippe Rameau. Excellent companion movies
to watch would be ALL THE MORNINGS OF THE WORLD and RIDICULE.

Like "Babette's Feast" - this is a culinary gem.
The French are noted for their FOOD, and this is a movie about GOURMET FOOD.
If you like a good story - that is also mouth watering to watch - this is the movie for you. DVD makes everything better!