In association with

A Good Year [2006]
from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
starring Russell Crowe, Albert Finney, Marion Cotillard, Freddie Highmore, Abbie Cornish
directed by Ridley Scott

Features:

• Anamorphic
• PAL

Editorial Review:

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 utilise Crowe's range of skills, the actor is charming in his role and A Good Year provides fine viewing. --Jae-Ha Kim

London banker Max Skinner (Russell Crowe) is a cutthroat workaholic who cares only about winning and making money. During his rise to the top, Max has forgotten the important life lessons that his favourite uncle, Henry (Albert Finney), taught him during summers at his vineyard in Provence. Estranged from Henry for years, Max is surprised to learn that his uncle has passed away and as his closest living relative, he is set to inherit the estate, La Siroque. True to form, Max heads down to Provence for a quick visit in order to assess the value of the property with dollar signs in his eyes. Once immersed in Henry’s world and the charm of La Siroque, Max begins to remember his visits and how much Henry and those summers meant to him. Other surprises--including a budding romance with fetching local cafe owner Fanny Chenal (Marion Cotillard) and a visit from a young American claiming to be Henry’s illegitimate daughter (Abbie Cornish)--prolong Max’s visit, making Provence more and more difficult to resist. Can Max be content leaving his fast-paced life in London for lazy days in a French vineyard? Or will he sell his estate to the highest bidder, memories and all, and return to his hectic lifestyle? Crowe shows his softer-side--and even throws in some physical comedy--as a man revisiting his past and considering his future. Finney is a charmer as Henry in flashback scenes (where Freddie Highmore plays a young Max) that establish his character’s joie de vivre and the tender relationship shared between uncle and nephew.

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 3.0 / 5.0

• A Good Year - Ruined
  Take an excellent story by an expert writer and you can guarantee that once in the hands of the film makers they will ruin it. This film is an abomination further ruined by an appalling sound track, poor acting and an excecrable screenplay. My advice is to avoid this film like the plague and buy the book!

• Perfect for a night in with a bottle of good wine
  Gentle, predictable but beautifully shot. I loved this film. Yes you can guess the ending within the first 5 mins, but the characters are wonderful - even the 'bit parts' - and the shots of the French countryside are beautiful. You don't always need high octane action and clever twists to make a movie worth watching.
  Grab a bottle of wine and a few nice nibbles, curl up on the sofa and enjoy.

• A glass of Coin Perdu if you please...
  I almost did not buy this, (as I almost didn't buy master & commander - ) because of Crowe...thinking he couldn't possibly cut the mustard in this type of film...however I was really surprised with his superb acting and the feel good vibe of the film. Was he miscast? I don't think anyone else could have filled the role as fully as he did. The flash backs of his childhood are where the real genius lie - introducing his Uncle and him as a youngster, which add depth to the story and with the ever frequent... more info

• A BAD HAIRSTYLE
  Well, don'tcha know, he's that hard city type leading the sharks life in the pool of London. Yes,he's Mr Gormless for whom happiness is a Rolex watch. But time has no such value in Provence where ever-ee thing is bee-ootiful and quaint and - er - charming. Fortunately, while Crowe loses his shark's appetite, his hairstyle remains in place throughout as two stiffened kiss curls so he wins Cotillon who, also fortunately, makes La Vie En Rose and can forget this stinker.
  But nice to see that the run down... more info

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