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:

£376,962 (United Kingdom), 29 October 2006, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,721,526, 12 November 2006, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$7,458,269, 21 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

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 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

Max Skinner: You tried to drown me.
Fanny Chenal: And you tried to run me over in your little car.

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Connections

References Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

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Soundtracks

Breezin' Along with the Breeze
Written by Haven Gillespie, Seymour Simons and Richard A. Whiting (as Richard Whiting)
Performed by Josephine Baker
Courtesy of Columbia Records
By Arrangement with Sony BMG Music Entertainment

User Reviews

A Delightful Way to Spend an Evening

As a longtime fan of Russell Crowe, I do know that he can be funny, charming, sweet and romantic, not only on film but in real life. His recent appearances on the TV promotional circuit have proved this once again. Those who only know his films since LA Confidential for the most part focus on his ability to capture and project power, strength and inner turmoil. Those who have seen his films such as Proof, For the Moment, Love In Limbo and The Sum of Us have seen his ability to show the gentler, funnier and often more uncertain sides of the human experience. (I would also argue that these are readily seen in his films such as The Insider, A Beautiful Mind and Cinderella Man.) A Good Year is a wonderful return to the Russell of those earlier films. Like a Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movie, you know just where it's likely going to take you, but with such lovely, engaging people in such a wonderful setting you just want to enjoy the trip. And so you shall. What a refreshing change from the overheated, oversexed, over special "effected" and over bloodied fare that Hollywood usually dishes out. Thank you so much Mr. Crowe and Mr. Scott for my little vacation in the South of France!