A Good Year Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Everything matures... eventually.
Sometimes it takes a change of scenery to have a change of heart.
After years of no contact with his Uncle Henry, London banker and bond trader Max Skinner learns that Henry has died intestate, so Max inherits a château and vineyard in Provence. Max spent part of his childhood there, learning maxims and how to win and lose, and honing his killer instinct (at chess, which serves him well in finance). Max goes to France intent on selling the property. He spends a few days there, getting the property ready to show. Memories, a beautiful woman, and a young American who says she's Henry's illegitimate daughter interrupt his plans. Did Max the boy know things that Max the man has forgotten?
| Freddie Highmore | Young Max Skinner |
| Albert Finney | Uncle Henry Skinner |
| Russell Crowe | Max Skinner |
| Rafe Spall | Kenny |
| Archie Panjabi | Gemma |
| Richard Coyle | Amis |
| Ben Righton | Trader #1 |
| Patrick Kennedy | Trader #2 |
| Ali Rhodes | 20-Something Beauty |
| Daniel Mays | Bert the Doorman |
| Nila Aalia | Newscaster #1 |
| Stephen Hudson | Newscaster #2 |
| Giannina Facio | Maitre D' |
| Tom Hollander | Charlie Willis |
| Lionel Briand | Rental Car Employee |
| Ridley Scott |
6.70 out of 10 (12127 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Nice little movie
posted on 08 Aug 2009I enjoy most everything that Russell Crowe has done and looked forward to seeing this movie. I was sort of disappointed with the story but the acting more than made up for the lack of a good story. Both Albert Finney and Russell Crowe were both well worth the price of admission. There were not very many familiar faces in this move but the cast was very good in their parts. It is the story of a wild stock broker in England who is willed his uncle's property in France and who is willing to sell it but in checking out the winery he falls in love with the property and a young lady and what he finally decides to do with his life. As I said, well acted but sort of weak story. I would wait for the DVD version of this movie and save yourself some $$$.
Ah the memories......
posted on 04 Aug 2009Just from reading the blurb on the back of this film's DVD cover, I knew i was going to love it. After spending three of my childhood years in a similar place in South west France, I felt connected to this film. It shows you that you can have everything you have ever wished for, but still not be content. The backdrop for this film is absolutely stunning. How anyone could inherit that house and not want to keep it, I do not know. I thought that the whole thing with Fanni and Max in the swimming pool as children was cheesy, but it all added to the romance of this story. Watch this if you love France, or if you love romance stories.
A good movie!
posted on 13 Jul 2009A good film but not so original as it should be.Russel Crowe acts well and the story is somehow the eternal search for the origins of the present you.The past and the people that make part of it are the things that make you think about yourself and about who you became. Material things don't really have value but the memories that are printed everywhere make them become important and transforms them into valuable things. The love story is beautiful but not very necessary because the relation between the two is not very well constructed.They met when they were little but in the present the connection is there?And he seems somehow a ladies's man so she as the powerful woman she seems to be shouldn't fall so deeply in love. So is a good movie but it should have be unproved.Kind of Sideways!!
Visually and musically great, but average characters and story.
posted on 11 Jul 2009If you happen to place a high value on visual style and general craftiness, then the movie is more like a "7", because it really is strong in those areas. Otherwise, the simplistic plot and reasonably OK characters bring a notch.The story is about a high powered London trader who learns he's inherited a French vineyard. When he goes there with the intent of fixing it up and selling it, he begins to rediscover some magic he once felt during a few summers there as a kid.The movie follows a plot line that is highly predictable. To compensate, the movie really needed strong characters and/or dialog. Unfortunately it is only average in both areas.However, if you're a Ridley Scott fan, you'll love the crafty visuals and music. Those are extremely well done. For average viewer though, I can't quite recommend spending 2 hours just on style alone - it's tempting though.
An Entertaining if Not Great Romantic Comedy
posted on 11 Jul 2009Russell Crowe under the direction of Ridley Scott (again) is somewhat overly, manipulative awkward in this romantic comedy. There are some nice cute, humorous scenes, but overuse of unnecessary car stunts that are more ridiculous than funny. But Russell Crowe is usually playfully against type. This romantic comedy has a decent storyline yet it didn't manage to capture the modernistic comedy/drama balance that contemporary movies have reached now. More of a popular entertaining, fun movie for the date crowd with a morally safe message for all. Some of the subtext plot lines weren't sufficiently developed to radiant a stronger intensity. Overall, "A Good Year" was an enjoyable, if not great movie.
I loved it, got me to read the book
posted on 07 Jul 2009I saw the trailer for it ages ago and thought it was going to be a girlie movie but when it came out some friends badgered me into going with them. They hated it and I loved, so much so I went back and saw it again twice. I shall be getting the DVD when it comes out. I read the book within a week of seeing it and loved that as well. They're were many differences between the 2 like Max quits his job in the book and isn't considering selling it, Charlie has a much larger part in it. Max has more love interests as well. I think I would have adored it even more if they'd filmed the book. It was also envitable that Max was going to stay but that doesn't matter because you want to stay.Makes you want to buy Vinyard.
A pleasant diversion en Provence
posted on 03 Jul 2009"The prototypes of strong sensation: blazing lights, red earth, blue sea, mauve twilight, the flake of gold buried in the black depths of the cypress; archaic tastes of wine and olive, ancients smells of dust, goat dung and thyme, immemorial sounds of cicada and rustic flute." Robert Hughes on Provence I have excessively drunk the house table wine at extended lunches in Provence, and I won't forget them for their savory simplicity and seductive subtext. It was a good year. So a film about a Brit en Provence who loves wine, women, and song can be a winner on concept alone. Max Skinner (Russell Crowe) could skin you alive as a world-class stock trader. As the new owner of on aging estate in Provence, however, he is as likely to be fleeced by local vintners or irritable restaurant owners.Peter Mayle's popular travel pieces on France turned into a jaunty fiction in A Good Year, an endearing light piece about the intrigues of wine making, estate ownership, and that French staple, love. Screenwriter Mark Klein adapts the novel with a hearty, occasional slapstick I don't remember in the fluffy novel. No matter, the beauty of Provence and its ladies are fully exploited in this romantic comedy.Because surface romances don't usually lend themselves to deep analysis, I will mention the obvious charms of the film and book my ticket for Provence. The plays of light on the dappled landscape are a treat; the contrast between London's trading activity and the slow-pace of Provence is ever present but not overdone. The nostalgic flashbacks to Max's youth spent with Uncle Henry (Albert Finney) are the highlight for me, a Finney fan. The feisty young Max and crusty, aphoristic uncle compete at tennis, chess, and wine tasting, all appropriate preparation for Max's ruthless career and eventual appreciation of the treasures en Provence.This is not Cary Grant comedy, but it is a pleasant diversion for those hooked on France and Cezanne, Crowe and Finney.
Fairy tale meets stereotypes = not a good mix
posted on 25 Jun 2009This movie manages to put together a truckload of stereotypes and a bunch of annoying characters, to deliver a conventional, Cinderella-worth happy ending.It is supposed to be realistic (the ferocious financial genius, the cynical Londoners, vineyards in Frances … surely all things that exist) but at the same time conveys an idea of fairy tale and unreality.I am not sure if financial sharks of the type portrayed by Crowe actually exist. I never met one in real life, so for me he is the equivalent of a modern Prince Charming. I am also not quite sure if rich uncles (and aunts) departing from this world and leaving a fortune to a distant heir actually exist, but they are the stuff dreams are made of – they die, you don't even suffer because you haven't seen them in ages and yet you find yourself immensely richer thanks to their departure. Add a magical country, far far away (even if it is just France and not so magical in reality) painted in loving golden tones (by contrast with England, painted in steel gray, cold tones) and you have a blurry scenario to work with.The main character in this fuzzy territory is your average, cold-hearted guy, working as a financial trader of some sort (the type we saw in many movies since "Wall Street"). He is played by an extremely annoying Russell Crowe, as your cliché British man: arrogant, insensitive and pompous.His love interest is raising star Marion Cotillard, going down a well-traveled road of her own- the one of the sexy, warm-hearted, spirited (and slightly slutty) French woman.Add more stereotyped characters to the mix (supplementary sexy French women; a French wine maker who hates the British; an eccentric British uncle; a snotty British secretary) and the predictable result will be the melting of the ice-cold heart of the British guy and his decision to overturn his life for the love of the French gal.This is not a spoiler as I am pretty sure everybody knows by now (or would imagine, as soon as the movie starts) how it is going to end. Could you possibly imagine Russell not getting the girl and not turning into a decent human being? Honestly, I used to like him, but he is totally insufferable in this movie. There is something absolutely idiotic in the way he is acting – but maybe he was doing it on purpose, to make his character so unlovable. In this case he would have deserved an Oscar.A final word of warning: for anybody who has never been to France: not all French women are thin, sexy and feisty. In fact, you have all kinds, exactly as you can find in most Western countries.
sweet, funny with European charm
posted on 07 Jun 2009Set in beautiful Provence, this movie pleases the eye from start to finish and gives us an entertaining and not overly long story to uplift and inspire new thoughts. All actors well cast, with supporting characters giving equally even and credible performances as the leads, with particular note of the quick and witty inlays from the legal sidekick Charlie. The main story is about Max - a man who has achieved much in his career as a London stockbroker, who manages, despite his occupationally acquired ADD, to access important childhood memories during his return to the French vineyard he spent priceless summers at just in time to redeem the magic in his life. The film does not become too heavy nor give it all away with obvious conclusions, however the final exchanges between the main characters were a little syrupy. Overall, a delightful, clean and charming experience.
"A Good Year" is a Good film
posted on 24 May 2009"A Good year" is a good film. Ridley Scott has directed Russell Crowe in this love story that touches the heart. Crowe plays Max Skinner, a stock market wizard from London. His heart remains in his childhood geography of his uncle's vineyards. Albert Finney stars as his Uncle Henry and gives a very convincing performance. Crowe's childhood character is very nicely done by Freddie Highmore and his role adds to the frosting of this sugar coated film. The vineyard scenes are reminiscent of those in "The Godfather" scenes in Italy. The audience was quiet, and seemed impressed, however, I have a feeling that they were made of those folks who enjoy the mushy genre portrayed. Women were most impressed with the product. It was a good film but not a great one. The performance by Crowe was somewhat subdued or underplayed with success. The most attractive part of the film is the photography.
Formulaic, but enchanting
posted on 18 May 2009"Listen up, Lab Rats", intones Russell Crowe as he lays it on thickly while essaying a British version of Gordon Gecko in the bond markets. Archie Punjabi, as his saucy and ambitious assistant, makes these early sequences worthwhile all by herself. She's a scream! If we didn't know Crowe so well, we'd believe him, as he has all the mannerisms and attitudes down to a science. I know because I spent a score working with such people. Since we are already so familiar with Crowe in other contexts, his winning-is-everything act seems pretty synthetic.This, of course, all sets up Crowe's change-of-life experience when he visits the château and vineyard of his newly deceased uncle (Albert Finney in flashbacks) in order to execute the handover and immediately subsequent sale of the estate. The ugly Briton learns the error of his money-hungry ways and gains a new appreciation for the lessons of his youth by re-visiting the south-of-France of his youth. Ho-hum! We've seen it all before. And, this villa cannot exactly equal the magic of Enchanted April, but the characters here are not as variegated.All that being said, Crowe is resilient enough that even though we know exactly how he will change, he still throws us some surprises and makes us root for him by the end. The actress portraying his local interest is superb and has electric chemistry with Crowe. The couple playing the caretakers are equally wonderful. The photography and music are also spot on with splendid eyes and ears for subtlety and romance -- all this directed by Ridley Scott (Aliens, Blade Runner, etc.) !!?!!! I thought the actress playing his American cousin was rather weak, although she was best in her scene with Crowe's mercenary "best friend" Charlie.On the whole, the acting, romance, dry humor, intangibles, and witty dialog overcome the tired plot line sufficiently to make "A Good Year" an enjoyable way to spend two hours.
A low point for Ridley and Russell
posted on 08 May 2009Surprisingly lackluster film which adapts a novel about one jaded, heartless businessman's return to his childhood vineyard in France, comes across as strikingly inept given the talent involved. For all those anticipating the re-teaming of Gladiator champs Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe, look no further then the film's first ten minutes to realize that the comedy-drama, lighthearted romance genre is not either of these consummate professional's forte. The awkwardly paced rhythm feels strained where it should feel breezy, tedious when it should feel nostalgic, and embarrassing when we should be laughing along with the characters. There are bits of scenes in which you can actually witness the relaxed tone begin to take it's charming effect, but by and large the choices made throughout A Good Year remain a complete misread, not to mention a painfully half-assed approach in the vacant direction and performances. Brimming with a smug indifference attempting to fool less interested participants into seeming like something deeper, Crowe gives one of his least engaging performances to date, making viewers do more then just dislike his negative character- they will become completely indifferent. The plot is so predictable that one will foresee a resolution two frames in, and become tediously anxious for an ending around the ninth frame. A simple, shallow, disappointing exercise in lite entertainment, stuffed with unnecessary production values to mask a lack of vibrancy within the script, the film still may be mildly entertaining and escapist for the ye old weekend afternoon viewing, just try to forget the talent involved so as not to depress you further about this apathetic mess.
Sunday Afternoon movie - Cute but cheesy
posted on 30 Apr 2009This is one of those movies that you already expect to see in Sunday afternoons on summer's reruns. Also, this is one of those movies that make you think that Ridley Scott was lucky in doing "Blade Runner".Although the movie overall gives some delightful and funny moments, the only spoiler I offer is: There are NO surprises in this obvious storyline. Read the plot and think of a happy ending for it, and you already know what's going to happen before seeing the movie.Besides that, the dialogs are unnatural, and the characters are cliché and shallow. Russell Crowe plays the typical knows-it-all cold-hearted and womanizing yuppie. Didier Bourdon, Isabelle Candelier and Jacques Herlin play the also stereotypical angry french family. You just don't manage to have any sympathy for Russell Crowe's character because, as his uncle says in the beginning: "You learn nothing from winning, but losing makes you wiser". Max Skinner NEVER loses ANYTHING so he shouldn't learn anything in the story, except if you want to rush on and close the story with an happy end.
Disappointing misfire about a bond trader who grows up when he visits his uncle's estate in France
posted on 12 Apr 2009Ridley Scott's film of Peter Mayle's book was an unmitigated disaster at the box office. Costing a chunk of change this "romantic comedy" essentially was dead after the first weekend. I had wanted to see the movie when it played in theaters last year but it disappeared almost instantly. Running across it in the used bin I picked it up and then put it on while I was cleaning this afternoon.I know why it sank.Russell Crowe is a bond trader who only wants to make a buck at anyones expense and to hell with the consequences. Just as he scores big on a questionable deal he finds his uncle, the only man he ever loved, and to whom he hadn't spoken in 10 years has died. Running to France to see the estate left to him, an estate he decides to sell, Crowe finds his past catching up with him and a few bumps in the road.Billed as a "Romantic Comedy" the romance-other than a love of the French country side, is not really in evidence here.To be certain Crowe does woo the girl, but most of that is in the last third of the film. The rest is Crowe trying to keep his life from imploding, dealing with an unexpected relative, the locals who don't want him to sell the estate and his nostalgia for his dead uncle. The movie is funny and charming at times, but I can only suspect it suffers from a compression from the novel. There is simply too many threads running through this and its not much of anything.Worst of all is Crowes character who is pretty much a real SOB. You don't like him at all, at least not below the surface. He's charming and sweet but its clear he's a shark thats always on the make.Any sympathy we do have is the result of Crowe being Crowe and not because of anything about the character thats likable. This makes his change to someone else largely unbelievable (at least in the movies time frame). Its bad enough the film is juggling too many balls but to have a lead character you don't like is asking too much (especially when his trader buddies are equally vile).Beautiful to look at and very well acted, this is the sort of movie that you may want to use to show how beautiful your new HD TV looks but its not the sort of thing that you'd actually want to sit and watch. Its a perfect example of how good people in the film industry can bring the best things together and still make cow pie of a movie.Almost 5ish out of 10 for the bits that work.
Visually soothing yet not memorable
posted on 04 Apr 2009Despite being aware that this film was going to be predictable I expected more from it. Being certain that it would evoke the philosophy of wine, the picturesque life in French Provence and contrast the dilemma between a hectic agenda dictated by materialism and a soothing existence filled with childhood memories in a romantic vineyard, I was ready to be captivated. My expectations were soon pulverized by its facile approach to a promising subject for the deep thinker. It's appealing to the eye with simple characters being portrayed with a certain charm. The British and French cultural encounter is described with shallow humour and an instantaneous love story. Perfect before bedtime, setting your TV on sleep mode will do no harm.
Better than a lot of RomComs but not brilliant!
posted on 02 Apr 2009It would be easy to go on about the fantastic photography, the fact that the French didn't like it, but that's all been said. Simply put this is a good, solid, well made film, the type they say they don't make any more. At the centre of the film is Crowe, who does the part well, having read the book and feeling a little disappointed in the character, Crowe brings it to life by not taking it too seriously. He doesn't 'burn up' the screen, but tends to settle into the role and allows the other actors room to play with what could be considered under written parts. Well may be not, this is after all a comedy, it's not a deep character study, don't come looking for one, this is just fun. Good looking fun. Ridley Scott is quoted at the start of the book as being one of the primary inspirations behind the story having been written, being a long time friend of Mayle. So when you hear that they don't make them like they used to, well they do, just watch it and enjoy!
brilliant
posted on 27 Mar 2009(This comment was deleted by IMDb based on an abuse report filed by another user)This movie clearly shows that Hollywood still gets it and no market on earth could replace the ingenuity of the skills and the quills of the writers. If you like this movie, I could recommended also the Da Vinci Code, which has a similar brilliant approach to a Renaissance Man, too often neglected in my opinion, that is.Scott delightfully hit the jackpot with this one, a couple of my friends advised me to see this particular movie and to be totally honest; I was overwhelmed for 3 weeks by the sheer beauty France has to offer; what, truly, what more can a man wish or want in his life than a bottle of bourbondy, a beautiful winoman and a saMart video-recorder ?
Ignore the negative reviews!
posted on 05 Mar 2009This is still another unfortunate case of people staying away from a good film because of many film critic's negative reviews. I couldn't help thinking while I was watching and enjoying this movie, what kind of cynical person couldn't at least find it mildly fun? First, the acting is first rate. Russell Crowe is very well cast in the role and plays it naturally. He's beginning to remind me more and more of a modern Humphrey Bogart. He can be equally comfortable playing serious, romantic, or comedy roles. Second, I'll watch any Ridley Scott film. Period. His direction, since Blade Runner (and even before that!), has always been first rate in my book, so I always look forward to his latest effort. Third, the supporting cast is superb! The film is fun and romantic. It has all the right elements for a light evening of movie watching. If you rent it, you won't be disappointed.
Better than the critics say
posted on 05 Mar 2009Like the reviews overseas,Australian critics have generally snubbed this film as bland and contrived with some nasties regarding Russell's accent and wooden comedy delivery.I thoroughly enjoyed this intoxicating film which I agree has its faults, however it succeeded in its core themes of love,friendship and beauty as being central to a well lived life.I feel Crowe does a good job as Max, an arrogant and ruthless bonds dealer who inherits a château from his Uncle Henry(Finney). Initially interested in how much money this can make, circumstances necessitate a longer stay whereby Max begins to recall his many enjoyable Summers spent with his Uncle at the Provençal château.Marion Cotillard provides the love interest as the beautiful and tempestuous Dark French girl and young Aussie star Abbie Cornish contrasts as the fair blond Californian beauty who is Henry's illegitimate daughter. Both perform well though I know Cornish is much more capable than this role requires.The movie is a little uneven at times as Max learns his lesson on what is truly important in life.Sometimes the comedy is light, sometimes slapstick, and all this juxtaposed with some sentimentality and more serious moments. Most of the characters are contrived from Max through to the peasant French verniers. However in spite of this the story unfolds in a believable way and the photography is stunning as you would expect of the Province and Scott.The women are gorgeous, the wine looks delicious and the food makes you salivate. It succeeds in its attempt to seduce and makes one a little sad to return to suburbia as I did.Finally,on Crowe.I feel there are many critics who love to pan Crowe. It has become the fashion.How he missed out on a nomination for Cinderella Man is beyond me.(Though he would not have beaten Hoffman or Phoenix). He is obviously still anathema in Hollywood and to many critics a man they love to hate because he is simply not liked.One critic criticised him in this film because he was unlikeable but surely that was the point! At least he is an actor who acts. I mean Hugh Grant plays Hugh Grant and Tom Cruise plays Tom Cruise.But with Crowe, he always plays his character.And a good job he does once more.All in all 7 1/2 out of 10.And definitely more delicious on the big screen.
Something special
posted on 20 Aug 2009The movie is just amazing and it could reach your heart, my favorite part of the movie is where Russell Crowe is asked about his memories about the place and whether they were good, and he responds with so much sincerity no they were grand! a must watch, the setting is great, and the pace of the movie is very authentic and unhollywood like, you can easily be absorbed in the movie and most aspects of the movie can be related ones own experience, provided you have had to move somewhere and then have had an opportunity to return to that place. The movie probably one of the best works of Ridley Scott, I mean this guy has done it all, Aliens, Gladitor, Kingdom of Heaven and now this.