A Good Year (2006)

A British investment broker inherits his uncle's chateau and vineyard in Provence, where he spent much of his childhood. He discovers a new laid-back lifestyle as he tries to renovate the estate to be sold.

Director:

Ridley Scott

Writers:

Marc Klein (screenplay), Peter Mayle (novel)

Stars:

Russell Crowe, Abbie Cornish, Albert Finney

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Freddie Highmore	...	Young Max
Albert Finney	...	Uncle Henry
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-Scott	...	Maitre D' (as Giannina Facio)
Tom Hollander	...	Charlie Willis
Lionel Briand	...	Rental Car Employee

Storyline

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?

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Plot Keywords:

inheritance | based on novel | wine | provence | uncle | 

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Taglines:

Everything matures... eventually.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language and some sexual content

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English Russian French

Release Date:

10 November 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ein gutes Jahr

Filming Locations:

Cucuron, Vaucluse, France

Box Office

Budget:

$35,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£376,962 (UK) (27 October 2006)

Gross:

$7,458,269 (USA) (19 January 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox 2000 Pictures, Scott Free Productions, Ingenious Film Partners

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Ridley Scott came up with the basic story that author Peter Mayle wrote in the book on which this film's based upon. When the book was published, Mayle's ideas were actually very different from Scott's original premise. Scott then decided to film the story as he envisioned it from the very beginning.

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Goofs

When Maximillian as a child selects from the various vintages of wines, he chooses 1983, which would make him closer to 35 years of age in present day, not the 45 or so that he appears to be.

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Quotes

Charlie Willis: [Calling from London] How's the house, Max? Is it gorgeous?
Max Skinner: Well, to tell you the truth, Charlie, it's a little shabby.
Charlie Willis: We don't say "shabby," Max. We say "filled with the patina of a bygone era."

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Connections

References Two for the Road (1967)

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Soundtracks

Walk Right Back
Written by Sonny Curtis
Performed by The Everly Brothers
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc.
By Arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

User Reviews

Wonderful!!

My breath was taken away as I was transported to another place entirely. It was so warmly sentimental I had tears in my eyes many times during the movie,, but in a great way. THis is what movies are meant to do, take us away and out of our ordinary lives to escape and step outside ourselves to reflect on some deeper meaning.

Bravo! Russell Crowe is simply an amazing actor. See this movie at the theater for full cinematic splendor.

I don't know why I haven't heard more about this movie.. I think its been out a while. Russell Crowe is one of those actors who can really choose what films he makes. This should ensure a great movie just by him agreeing to it! He transforms himself into his characters so you're not thinking your watching Russell Crowe.