Review of Vatel (2000) by Georges F — 03 Oct 2007

As Mel Brooks said in History of the World: â??Itâ??s Good to Be a Kingâ??. This movie shows why it is so. The luxury and extravaganza of the kingâ??s court is so precisely depicted that you feel youâ??re going to throw up.

Vatel is a perfectionist who only wants to serve his master, but not at any expense. When caught between fulfilling his duty and not compromising his principles, he takes a third honorable alternative.

Everyone is perfect in his role and the sets are marvelous. However thereâ??s a glitch: in the fireworks scene, the orchestra plays Haendelâ??s â??Fireworks Musicâ??. Haendel was born in 1685 whereas the film events take place in 1671.