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:

Sometimes it takes a change of scenery to have a change of heart.

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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:

$7,459,300

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$42,064,105

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

Duflot's dog is named Tati, presumably after the great French clown and actor-director Jacques Tati. Scenes from some of Tati's films are in the montage shown during the romantic "Boum" sequence.

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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

Francis Duflot: In California, they don't make wine, they make Hawaiian Punch.
Christie Roberts: Mondavi might argue with that one.

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Connections

Features Sylvie et le fantôme (1946)

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Soundtracks

J'attendrai
Music by Dino Olivieri
Lyrics by Louis Poterat
Performed by Jean Sablon
Courtesy of Promosound Ltd., Ireland

User Reviews

Plot summary is wrong.

The American woman does not claim that the land is hers, but tries to know something about his past. Ridley Scott exploit his good taste to create a charming atmosphere, in which Russel Crowe is just an extra piece of the story. The landscapes, the Provence feeling, the interesting women, and the enchanting world of wine makes you fly between the clouds and wonder: "what if I leave my job right now and start living the real life?". Russel Crowe successes in playing a clumsy business man who realizes he has to make a change. Albert Finney minor appearances are brilliant. It is a movie about feelings, enjoying life, and finding yourself. You have to see it.