Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

The story-telling is good with flashbacks.The film is both funny and heartbreaking. You smile in a scene and get a soulcrushing revelation in the next.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

There is a warning about spoilers but just about everyone on this site talked about the ending of this film anyway so...???? What ? Anyway, I am adding a comment to someone who posted here that Vatel "died for his art" which is wrong. I wonder if they actually paid attention ??? He died apparently because he did not care to have his HONOR and his feelings continually shredded. He experienced a series of heartbreaks,sad events and disappointments that were pointing to a future of more certain unhappiness. Since he was a man of honor and decency that was too much for him to bear. That is a lot different than "dying for his art". The end of the movie made it clear that people assumed so but it was not true. There. Now like everyone else here, I have discussed the ending.

This film is about a servant of noble values having to prepare an extravagant feast for the King's visit.Vatel understandably focuses on one single character, Francois Vatel. To me, everything else in the film seems to be subplots or minor characters. Much time is spent on portraying Vatel as a hardworking, bright and noble person. He even knows his subordinates' life history by heart! Vatel's noble virtues contrasts with the corrupted mortals of high social status. The film's dark theme is sometimes overshadowed by the merry atmosphere of the feast. The extravagant sets and amazing costumes are very dazzling. The film is worth the watch just to see the feast scene!

SOME SPOILERS AHEADThe movie was mildly interesting as it describes (what I call) the "Martha Stewart" of 17th Century France, Francois Vatel. However, it just isn't interesting enough and I got bored very easily and very quickly. What saved this film was Gerard Depardieu's performance as the title character who organizes all the interior decorating, shows, and meals prepared for the coming of King Louis XIV to a chateau in Chantilly. Uma Thurman's performance as Vatel's love interest is well, below mediocre. I'd much rather watch paint dry or a pair of snails drag-race. Above all, I give this 2 out of five stars. The lush atomosphere also manages to save the film from a 1 star rating by me.

Contains Spoiler!!!! I thought this movie was great! I showed the theatricality and Royal Propaganda that went on in Early Modern France. Vatel was a complete victim with no option left for himself. He spends the whole film thinking that he is the master of his own destiny but when his master trades him like a horse in card game he realizes that he is not. He is really just a pawn like everyone else.I also love the use of mirrors in this film. Vatel objectifies the upper class by alway viewing them in mirrors. When Uma's character sleeps with the king she looks at herself in the mirror and sees herself as an object for the first time.I thought this film was all about the powerlessness people felt during this time. To people who didn't like the ending, it was based on a true story so he had to kill himself at the end.