A Good Year (2006)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Ridley Scott

Writers (WGA):

Marc Klein (screenplay)
Peter Mayle (novel)

Release Date:

10 November 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Everything matures... eventually.

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Uncle | Provence | Vineyard | Chateau | Chess

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Russell Crowe	...	Max Skinner
Marion Cotillard	...	Fanny Chenal
Albert Finney	...	Uncle Henry Skinner
Freddie Highmore	...	Young Max Skinner
Rafe Spall	...	Kenny
Archie Panjabi	...	Gemma
Richard Coyle	...	Amis
Tom Hollander	...	Charlie Willis
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'

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for language and some sexual content.

Runtime:

118 min | Canada:118 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French | Russian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby

Certification:

Ireland:12A | Singapore:PG | Germany:o.Al. | Malaysia:U | Australia:M | Finland:K-7 | Argentina:Atp | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Brazil:10 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Hong Kong:IIA | Portugal:M/12 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #42357) | South Korea:15 | Netherlands:AL | South Africa:10L

Filming Locations:

Albion Riverside, Battersea, London, England, UK

Company:

Fox 2000 Pictures

Trivia:

Max Skinner's wardrobe is largely influenced by Russell Crowe's own uncle, David William Crowe.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): Max asks his sibling Christie where she got the "Halston" at the Duflot's dinner party. The dress she wears in the scene is actually made by modern day Los Angeles cotton manufacturer American Apparel.

Quotes:

Fanny Chenal: There's something you should know about me, Max. I'm very, very choosy... I'm also very, very suspicious; very, very irrational, and I have a very, very short temper. I'm also extremely jealous and slow to forgive. Just so you know.

Movie Connections:

Features Et Dieu... créa la femme (1956)

Soundtrack:

Sur Les Chemins...

As it's title may imply, "A Good Year" is just that: a good film by Ridley Scott

I had the chance to see this film during an early press screening in Ramat Gan, Israel, several weeks ago, and was pleasantly surprised. A good friend of mine that came along was thrilled with the views and landscapes and caught up with the dramatic plot, despite having a distinct preference for action flicks. Speaking of which, here's a chance to give a little tip for the guys: although this is generally referred to as a "chick flick", the screen is filled with the presence of 2 beautiful women throughout the film. Watch out for the young Abbie Cornish (who appears in a brief nude sequence, so don't blink) and for the arousing french actress Marion Cotillard as Crowe's love interest throughout the film.

As it's title may imply, "A Good Year" is just that: a good film by Ridley Scott. It's tone reminded me of Scott's Matchstick Men and it's premise is similar to Under the Tuscan Sun. Nonetheless, despite the similarities, Scott managed to create something new and different in this movie, muchly thanks to it's rich plot, vivid characters and breathtaking landscape, that build up an enchanting European atmosphere that allows you to wander off to France for some enjoyable 118 minutes.

The plot follows Maximillian Skinner (Crowe), a young and bright manager in the British stock market that has low morals which bring him high financial results. He's cocky and arrogant, and like all characters that appear in films of this nature, his life is about to change dramatically. This occurs one sunny day when he finds out his Uncle Henry (Albert Finney, who appears in flashbacks throughout the film) has passed away and left him his heritage: a vineyard in Provence, France. Skinner immediately realizes the financial value of the property and boards the first plane to the colorful valley. Arriving there, he is filled with childhood memories through which we see Henry teaching his young oprhan nephew Max (Freddy Highmore, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory") the values of life. Meanwhile, the plot thickens when a young attractive American girl arrives, claiming she's Henry's long lost daughter and posing a threat to Henry's inheritance. When problems at work force him into a for-longed leaf of absence, he falls in love with a local French woman and starts unveiling the secrets of the vineyard.

I gave it 8 out of 10, for it is a good way to spend a matinée or an evening with your partner.