Despite the best efforts of talented actors like Uma Thurman and Tim Roth, director Roland Joffe's film lacks any sign of character depth. In fact, they don't have much to do, other than enjoying the amazing masterpieces of entertainment that Vatel (a horrid Depardieu) puts together. The spectacle is brilliantly staged and photographed and is very pleasing to the senses. I do recommend the film because it's faults never offend me. I was never bored and it did not have a period piece feel to it. The art direction is Oscar-worthy and the costumes and cinematography were quite good as well. I just wish we cared about the characters.
Review of Vatel
