A Good Year (Full-Screen Edition)

You all should watch to help remind you about a simple life with love !

I was with my wife's family on a weekend away, when her sister said, "OK! Everyone in the T-V room to watch a movie I loved!" That was it for me. I begged off saying I was engrossed in my book. Any recommendations from my sister-in-law have universally been in the "You must be kidding!" range. An hour later, I ambled into the room and watched the last hour of A good Year. Then I borrowed it and watched it again at least ten times! I could tell you the entire story and the film would not be spoiled. But I'll be good and only tell you a little here and there and let you savor it as it develops. Russell Crowe plays Maximillian as an adult and Freddy Highmore plays him as a lad in Provence when he spends summers with his uncle, Albert Finney. As a grown up, Max is a London Bond trader and he makes money. As a boy, you watch him develop into the man. There are women to tempt the uncle; girls to tempt the boy; Wine to enamor them both and France for them to truly love. So this is a love story. It tells of Max's boyhood in which he is too young to know love; his manhood when he is too wrapped in money to understand love; and his survival when love is revealed to him in all its manifestations. Is it funny? Yes. Is it a bit over the top? Not for me! Were all the actors and actresses great? Without question. Did everyone love this film? Not by a long shot. Why not? They viewed it at a moment in their lives when the idea of love could not take them by the hair and shake them and say, "Look you fool! This is what it's all about!" It is what it's all about and getting to that realization makes for a wonderful film. Almost the last paragraph, I promise~! Maximillian the boy is playing chess with his uncle on the verandah of the chateau in Provence. The uncle goes into the house to get a bottle of wine and two glasses (Young Maximillian is perhaps 12 at this juncture. As the uncle fiddles just inside the house with the wine, Max gets the cigar his uncle has been smoking and sticks it in his mouth. He checks his uncle out in the house and readjusts the board when he sees that the uncle is busy. But the uncle has seen this bit of chicanery! He comes out with the wine and says to Max, "Tell me, Max. Have I ever told you why I love wine? It is because when you put it in your mouth it always tells you the truth. It cannot lie." And he goes on to elaborate on this theme. When he is through he asks: "Now Max. Now that I've told you why I love wine, is there anything you have to say to me?" Young Max looks at his uncle, smiles, moves a piece on the chess board and says, "Yes, uncle. Check mate!" And the uncle looks at him and the board and says, "You little sh_t!" There's more. Much more!

This is sweet movie with some good humor throughout. The real winner is the gorgeous setting, which pulls you in. I wanted to swim in that pool, sit out on that gorgeous patio, walk through those vineyards. Yes, it is predictable, but I like where the relationships went, and it's a joy to be transported for a couple of hours.

My husband & I have watched this five times now & are still touched by the interesting plot plus the wonderful characters. Albert Finney absolutely great, Marion Cottilard gorgeous plus all of the other incredible actors. It’s probably Russell Crowe’s best picture as he is perfect! The French countryside breathtaking & the music fabulous. Of course, we purchased the soundtrack & visited in person the vineyard, the town of Bonnieux & others spots. A movie for all time!

In a change-of-pace from the heavy dramatics and CGI-heavy spectacle that Russell Crowe and director Ridley Scott offered up, in "Gladiator", the warmly romantic "A Good Year" shows a charm and humor that should make this film a favorite of fans of a good love story and the beauty of Provence, for years to come! Based on Peter Mayle's 2006 novel, which, in turn, was loosely based his 1993 work, "A Year in Provence", the film is reminiscent of Diane Lane's 1993 comedy/drama, "Under the Tuscan Sun", and also brings to mind the 1961 Rock Hudson/Gina Lollobrigida comedy, "Come September"; all three films offer romance, a glowing Mediterranean atmosphere, and characters as unconventional as they are, endearing. Crowe is a high-power, unscrupulous but wickedly funny British investment broker, who inherits the French estate and vineyards of his late uncle (Albert Finney, who plays the endearing codger in flashbacks). Under investigation for a more-than-a-little-shady stock transaction, the trip to France gives the broker a chance to let things simmer down, while he unloads the property...but childhood memories, old friends, the arrival of an unknown, illegitimate heir, from America (Abbie Cornish), and a feisty, beautiful local French girl (Marion Cotillard) all conspire to force Crowe to rethink his priorities, as he falls under the spell of Provence. While the film offers few real surprises, the characters are all likable, the dialog is crisp and witty, and there is a tangible magic in the glorious French landscape. All-in-all, "A Good Year" makes a GREAT date movie, and may have you booking a trip to France!

I love this movie! Funny with the HEA and should be enjoyed with a,glass of good wine

An excellent movie taking place mostly in the wine country of France and re-affirming what we should strive for in life. The answer is not money.

The movie starts with a young Max Skinner (Russell Crowe) spending good times and learning life lessons under the tutelage of his beloved uncle (Albert Finney) at the uncle's chateau and vineyard in France. Fast forward to Max as a grown, ruthless business man who's only passions are money and being first in the market, let the chips fall where they may. Then, news of his uncle's death forces Max back to France to handle the chore of disposing of the estate he's inherited. A comedic chance encounter with a local French beauty (Marion Cotillard) starts to complicate things, and we begin to share in flashbacks of Max's memories of his youth and good times spent with his uncle at the chateau. Everything is changing for Max ... or will it? See for yourself in this delightful, romantic comedy. This role is a bit of a change of pace for Russell Crowe, and it's a good one. The movie is rounded out nicely with supporting cast members in the roles of Max's business assistant, the caretaker of the vineyard and his wife, a surprise visit by a here-to-fore unknown American cousin and others. Enjoy the lovely scenes of the French countryside and beautiful vineyard, as well as the delightful music that serves as a thread throughout the movie. Lots to feel good about with this movie.

Ya lo envié

Max Skinner (Russell Crowe) is a London uber-trader. But his latest money-making spree on the markets has found his company under investigation and himself on suspension. Meanwhile, his uncle Henry (Albert Finney) has died, leaving him a large house and grounds, not to mention vines, in Provence. All Max sees in this rambling French property is a money-making opportunity, but as he stays, the sunshine, wine and the eccentric locals, not to mention the love of Fanny (Marion Cotillard) unlocks the sensitive man locked away in the belly of the Capitalist beast. “The secret of comedy is timing.” If you’re writing what is essentially a romantic comedy you have to have some confidence to include that line of dialogue, not just once but twice. On its cinema release, A Good Year (based on a novel by A Year in Provence writer Peter Mayle) received a kicking, for reasons that certainly have justification. This is a light comedy directed by a man and starring another man who are neither noted for their light comic touch. Even without that aspect to the part, Russell Crowe is miscast. The film is only moderately amusing, and obeys my rule of thumb about comedy in that it is overlong by the amount it exceeds ninety minutes. It’s also relentlessly predictable. Yet I couldn’t bring myself to dislike this film, possibly because I didn’t trek through November weather to spend over seven pounds to see it at my local multiplex. In less demanding circumstances, say after lunch or in an early evening on television, with the three F-words removed, this could be pleasant enough viewing, with a glass of wine or two to put you in the mood. And if you nod off now and again, that won’t hurt too much. A Good Year has the air of an indulgence for Ridley Scott, who has lived in Provence for some fifteen years. Scott has proven himself too erratic to be a truly great director: he’s a great – and very influential – visual stylist whose Achilles heel is the story and script. His best films have been made from the best scripts, but when the foundations are weaker, he flounders. Marc Klein may defend himself in the commentary in that he says that all the national stereotypes are true, but that doesn’t excuse the fact that most of his characters are so thinly drawn that they are only stereotypes. And when you have to rely on a pissing dog and Crowe falling into a disused swimming pool filled with fertiliser, you’re in trouble. Whatever you may say about Hugh Grant and Richard Curtis, as Kevin O’Reilly says in his cinema review on this site, you only have to imagine what they could have done with material like this to see how Crowe, Klein and Scott miss the target. Another problem is that Crowe’s character seems a make-believe city trader than a realistic one – you doubt that such people, who don’t have time for weekends or holidays, would be likely to read at all, let alone a demanding read like Death in Venice. (And that’s hardly likely reading for a ten-year-old.) Crowe tries his best, but he can’t square the circle that the script asks him to. Albert Finney gives a pleasing performance as Uncle Henry, who appears in a brief prologue with Freddie Highmore as young Max and appears in a series of flashbacks, the last of which has a mild surprise. Other actors give solid performances, including Kenneth Cranham as Max's boss and Archie Panjabi as his PA. It’s nice to see an actress as striking as Abbie Cornish (as Christie, Henry’s illegitimate Californian daughter) appearing in a film outside her native Australia, even if her character is fairly superfluous. Of course Provence looks absolutely gorgeous through Scott’s eyes. (The DP is Philippe Le Sourd, but you sense Scott has had a lot of input, and indeed has frequently coaxed career-best work from his directors of photography.) However, Scott is less than subtle by giving London such cold, grey-blue tones as he does. And you notice how soon after its construction the Gherkin building has become shorthand for the city it resides in. On the other hand, you do get to hear Johnny Hallyday singing a French-language version of “Hey Joe”, plus clips from Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday during one key scene. A Good Year will never go down as one of Scott’s best films, though it’s not a terrible one. It’s not an especially good one either. But save it up for a cold winter’s day and you may enjoy it more.

ず～っと探していました。しんどい時とても見たくなる映画のひとつです。 元気が出ます。とてもオススメです。年齢性別は関係無く楽しめます。 レンタルショップにも置いてないお店が多く、ひょっとしたら… と思い検索したら在りました、amazonスゴイ。価格も満足です。 フランスの田園風景をとても綺麗な映像で見せてくれます。 また、フランス、イギリス、アメリカの歴史や文化、人柄など 作品の中でコミカルに織りなして…取りあえず観て下さい！ ビタミン剤より利くかも。

Schon lange habe ich keinen Film mehr gesehen der mich derart gut unterhalten hat. Ridley Scott und Russell Crowe sind offensichtlich wie füreinander geschaffen. Was das Filmen betrifft. Um den Inhalt kurz zu umreißen: Der knallharte Broker Max (Russell Crowe) erbt das Weingut seines Onkels und hat nur eines im Sinn, es wieder abzustoßen und gewinnbringend zu verkaufen. Doch dafür muß er in die Provence reisen und vor Ort die rechtlichen Angelegenheiten klären. Was dazu führt das er beginnt sich an lange vergangene Kindheitstage zu erinnern. Natürlich kommt die Romantik auch nicht zu kurz und wie zu erwarten läuft Max eine Frau über den Weg die seine Ansichten in Sachen Leben ein wenig durcheinander bringt. Hört sich nun eigentlich alles nach einem 08/15 Filmchen an bei dem die nach Romantik gierenden Frauenherzen höher schlagen könnten. Weit gefehlt! Von der ersten Minute an fesselt dieser herrliche Film durch abwechselnde Sequenzen. Liebevolle Erinnerungen an eine Kindheit auf dem Weingut des Onkels kreuzen sich hammerhart mit der gegenwärtigen Realität die eigentlich nichts erstrebenswerteres als Geld aufzuweisen hat. Kaum in der Provence angekommen taucht der Zuschauer in eine völlig neue Welt ein. Liebevoll verschrobene Charaktere tauchen auf, herrliche Landschaftsbilder machen es unmöglich sich ein erneutes Leben Max's im Londoner Großstadtdschungel vorzustellen. Je länger Max es uns gewährt einen Blick in seine Vergangenheit zu werfen, desto weniger wollen wir in die Gegenwart zurück oder zerdrücken heimlich eine kleine Träne über verlorene Gelegenheiten einem Onkel nahe sein zu können der es verdient hätte geliebt und geachtet zu werden. Doch es bleibt bei der einzelnen Träne, denn die geradezu slapstickartigen Szenen der Gegenwart reißen einen sehr schnell aus der Melancholie und es ist fast unmöglich nicht stellenweise in überschäumendes Lachen auszubrechen. Ich sage nur: Poolszene! Dazu kommt das die gewählte Musik in jeder Sekunde den Film perfekt untermalt ohne groß in den Vordergrund zu treten. Zusammengenommen beinhaltet dieser Film die nahezu perfekte Mischung und läßt trotz fast zweistündiger Dauer nicht einen Moment Langeweile aufkommen. Und ich als Laborratte" hatte nach Ablauf des Abspanns ein glückstrunkenes Lächeln auf dem Gesicht und träumte noch eine ganze Weile diesem herrlichen Streifen hinterher. Was könnte eine bessere Empfehlung für einen Film sein?

Very enjoyable and viewed many times