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:

Albert Finney, Russell Crowe, Marion Cotillard

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	...	Maitre D'
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:

vineyard | provence | uncle | chateau | chess | 

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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 French Russian

Release Date:

10 November 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Un buen año

Filming Locations:

Cucuron, Vaucluse, France

Box Office

Budget:

$35,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$847,685 (Australia) (10 November 2006)

Gross:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox 2000 Pictures, Scott Free Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The car that Max Skinner drives is the smart fortwo cabriolet in the pulse trim. The colour is stream green with the black tridion safety cell.

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Goofs

When Fanny is knocked off her bike, she falls on her back. Later she shows him her bruise, but it is on her right thigh.

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Quotes

Uncle Henry Skinner: [Voiceover narration] Dear Max - I know it's been many years since we last spoke. But I find myself in a bit of a jam, and I'm afraid I need your help. The thing is, Max old boy, I'm dying. I know this because, uh, Dr. Karr, my physician, has stopped talking about my health and begun discussing the weather. Convinced that Death, like all tradesmen, would be unable to find my front door, and always having believed wills to be an open invitation to the Reaper, I find myself impelled to impress ...

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Connections

Features Sylvie et le fantôme (1946)

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Soundtracks

"Gotta Get Up"
Written and Performed by Harry Nilsson
Courtesy of RCA Records Label
By Arrangement with Sony BMG Music Entertainment

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.