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:

£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

Marion CotillIard is the leading lady in this film but is not on the "Top Billed" list

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Goofs

When Max gets to the D3 needing Gemma's help, he is less than 40km from his meeting with the Notaire Auzet. When he gets to the intersection he is facing south and the sun is to his left, meaning it is morning and his appointment was for the afternoon, giving him plenty of time to arrive at his destination. We are shown him by a tree telling Gemma to reschedule and this would not have been necessary.

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Quotes

Max Skinner: [sticking his fist out of the sun roof] LANCE ARMSTRONG!
group of french cyclists: [grumbling and flicking him off] Fuck you!

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Connections

References Two for the Road (1967)

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Soundtracks

Le linge sèche au vent
Written by Barnabé Nuytten & Makali
Performed by and Courtesy of Makali

User Reviews

"A Good Year" was a good movie...

I thought the movie was very good... Much better than I expected from the previews.

It's not going to be a Best-Picture Oscar winning movie (I think that should go to "The Departed") but it is not intended to be...

If you need explosions, sex and violence every 10 seconds to keep your attention then no this film is not for you. If you just want a relaxing, well-acted, non-American crappy plot popcorn movie then go check it out.

Well worth the $11 for the ticket which is getting pretty hard to say nowadays...