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List Price: $14.98 | | Label: 20th Century Fox
Salesrank: 9137
Released: February 27, 2007 |
| Our Price: $7.71 |
| Used Price: $0.75 |
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MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Max Skinner (Russell Crowe) is a highly successful investment expert with no time for life outside work. When his estranged uncle dies, Max inherits the vineyard in France where he grew up as a child, and his first intention is to sell the vineyard as qui
Description of A Good Year (Full-Screen Edition):
A feel-good movie that highlights the beauty of France as much as it does its stars, A Good Year provides a languid, gorgeous viewing experience. Director Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe--who first worked together on the Academy Award-winning Gladiator--are reunited in this romantic film, which is based on Peter Mayle's book A Year in Provence. Crowe plays Max, a workaholic London bonds trader who doesn't know the meaning of vacation. When his uncle dies, leaving him a picturesque estate in the south of France, Max views it as an opportunity to cash in the vinery and pocket the profits. The film is reminiscent of Diane Lane's Under the Tuscan Sun in the way the scenery plays as much of a role in the film as its characters. The lush village and streaming sunlight portray Provence as an idyllic, magical place. Even Max falls under its spell. While not a particularly likeable character, especially in the early part of the film, Max also isn't a bad guy. When he gets the chance to live life at a less manic pace than which he is used to, he finds that a good year isn't dependant on a financial windfall. Though Scott tries to drum up some suspense in the film (Is the beautiful visitor really Max's illegitimate cousin? Will Max fall in love with the feisty local woman he trades quips with?) nothing that happens comes as much of a surprise. Still, while the film doesn't fully utilize Crowe's range of skills, the actor is charming in his role and A Good Year provides a fine time in the cinemas. --Jae-Ha Kim
Extras from A Good Year
Russell Crowe and Co-Stars on Filming in Provence | 
A Good Year Virtual Vinyard |
Beyond A Good Year
A Year in Provence | 
More from Director Ridley Scott |
More from Russell Crowe |
Stills from A Good Year A Good Year (Full-Screen Edition) Reviews:
Charming film with Provence as the star 
2009-12-02 - I've noticed that male critics didn't like this film. Could it be because stud movie star Russell Crowe "betrayed" them by taking on a Hugh Grant-like role? This isn't a heavy-weight drama, it's true, but its charm and its true love for Provence shines through. The plot is standard: bad boy meets feisty girl and high jinx ensue. It doesn't have the complex hilarity and pathos of a Sideways, but this film's formulaic structure is secondary to the gorgeous cinematography, the music, and the quirky characters. A fun way to enjoy the ambience of beautiful Provence if you can't afford to get there soon.
a chick-flick for a man's man (if one can imagine such a thing)
2009-11-30 - WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS PLOT SPOILERS. STOP READING RIGHT NOW IF YOU HAVEN'T YET SEEN THIS FILM AND WANT TO DO SO WITHOUT EXPECTATIONS.
Ok, you've been warned. If you're still reading ...
Firstly, I'll agree with many of the other reviewers that there are no real surprises in this film. It is a bit predictable ...
And SO WHAT IF IT IS???
Whilst the scenery is so beautiful (and captured so perfectly that it comes to play its own character, albeit not a major one, in this gem of a film) that it is almost distractingly so, there is a story here that, although nothing new, still very much bears telling.
Why?
Because this story, simple as it appears, never gets old, as long as it is told exceptionally well. It is a story of deep meaning, one that is relevant to many.
Simply put, this is a story about a man who "finds himself", to utilize that tired cliche. Yet most cliches do have more than just a grain of truth to them, and this film is no exception. Max Skinner, a bonds trader in England, is exceptionally good at his job, quite wealthy, a leader in his field ... in short, quite Alpha.
Yet when his beloved Uncle Henri dies, leaving (or so it seems) to Max a breath-takingly beautiful vineyard in the south of France, Max must journey to this place where he spent his summers. Max returns to the place where, with his uncle's tutelage, he gained his first insight into what it is to be a successful man.
As the story goes on, Max must come to know Christie Roberts (Abbie Cornish playing a role that proves to be a lovely addition to this film), a young lady claiming to be his Uncle's illegitimate daughter. He also re-connects with the DuFlot's, caretakers of the vineyard and villa, and also his close childhood friends. Most importantly, he encounters Fanni, a girl he does not remember from his childhood, but who clearly remembers him ... or, at least, the person he used to be.
What is so striking about this admittedly-cliched "successful businessman who finds himself" story is that Max discovers a part of himself he forgot without rejecting the man he has become. In the end, what's most remarkable is that this person that Max was as a child becomes quite integrated with who Max now is as a man. He doesn't regret his success in business, nor does he become Mr. Touchy-Feely, but there is much sincerity and wisdom in Max as he realizes where his heart and soul truly lie.
At the film's close, we're left in the knowledge that Max is: #1, in love with a truly beautiful woman of great emotional depth (can't do without that), fiesty disposition (always a delicious treat, most especially if you happen to be an alpha male) and true kindness (again, can't do without this either); #2, reconnecting to his departed Uncle through continuing the operation of the vineyard in tandem with his cousin Christie (whom he has now accepted as being truthful in her claim of being Henri's daughter); and #3, content to move forward into the future in a greater understanding that it is a man's roots, and also the family that he creates in his life, that define his identity, just as much as do his successes in business, science, art, law, and the like.
Granted, perhaps at least a bit of the above is my interpretation, but what of it? Excellent films deserve various interpretations, and now, you've heard mine. If you haven't seen this film yet, please do so, as you are in for a real treat. If you have seen this film, then perhaps you'll be inclined to agree with my interpretation. (If you don't agree, please understand in advance that you have no chance whatsoever of disuading me from my position; I'm impossible once I've got my mind made up.)
In sum total, I could very much relate to Max, and that's why I enjoy this film so much, the oh-so-very-lovely women, gorgeous scenery, and fine wine and French villa notwithstanding.
Enjoy!!
Good Movie for wine lovers 
2009-10-03 - We enjoyed this movie for it is a lot like "Bottle Shock" but more human. The cast was great and it is almost like what life is like for the people who works at the wineries.
A Good Year
2009-08-08 - My review is quite succinct. I enjoyed the film A Good Year, I purchased it on
Amazon.com so I could have it sent to my sister-in-law in the States. She received
it safely and will watch it soon. I live in England and use Amazon.co.uk over here
quite successfully. Being able to avoid the "across the pond" postage is a real
benefit.
Does Scott hate Mayle? 
2009-07-16 - Great book, miserable 'adaptation'. If you read the charming book by Peter Mayle, avoid this movie at all costs!
