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	...	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:

chateau | provence france | inheritance | based on novel | wine | 

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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 USA:

$3,721,526, 12 November 2006

Gross USA:

$7,458,269

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

When he is inspecting the vines on his first day in Le Siroque, Max takes some dirt in his hands, rubs it together, and inhales only to discover it is Chicken droppings. This is most likely a spoof of Russell Crowe's previous (and acclaimed) performance in Ridley Scott's Gladiator where Maximus Decimus Meridius, before fighting a battle or a duel, would rub dirt through his hands and inhale.

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Goofs

The sunburn marks on Christie Roberts do not match the bikini she was wearing at the pool.

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Quotes

Max Skinner: [gets in on the wrong side of the car] Bollocks.

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Connections

Featured in Friday Night with Jonathan Ross: Episode #11.6 (2006)

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Soundtracks

Paris
Written and Performed by Stephen Lang
Courtesy of Marc Ferrari / Mastersource

User Reviews

A very enjoyable film with lots of laughs and excellent performances.

A demographically mixed audience seemed to enjoy this film very much. The photography was beautiful, the acting excellent, and the supporting players added an extra "punch" to the story line. Tho not an exact replica of the book it is based more on a story line running thru Crowe's and Marion's characters. The emphasis being on Crowe's character finding out what is truly meaningful in his very hectic super-charged rather non ethical life. He rediscovers what he is missing i.e. love, trust, and friendships.

A "Great" date movie. The local scenery should definitely be seen on the "big" screen and not on a DVD! Tho not "Oscar" caliber" it is why most film goers go to the movies; pure entertainment and escapism. Ridley and Crowe have achieved that goal. A "Great" date movie and worth the price of admission