Customer Reviews

A Good Year (Full-Screen Edition)

5 star:		(73)
4 star:		(43)
3 star:		(33)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

I really don't understand all the bad reviews from critics and reviewers alike for I personally loved this movie. Now, it's not the grandest spectacle to grace the big screen nor is it Russell Crowe's finest hour, but `A Good Year' is some quality entertainment and serves it purpose in the relaxed and happy season that is fall. Having just seen the poorly made and highly overrated `Catch a Fire' I was ready to relax and watch something entertaining and enjoyable, and being the Russell Crowe fan that I undoubtedly am I decided that `A Good Year' would be just that movie.

Max Skinner (Crowe) is a stuck up British stock broker who at one time was a kind hearted soul, and his fondest memories are littered with his Uncle Henry (Finney) and his Chateau in France. Upon his Uncles death Max is left the sole owner of Henry's estate, and in like fashion he flies out there in order to sell if for profit and make it back ASAP. What he doesn't bank on is Christie Roberts (Abbie Cornish) showing up claiming to be the long lost daughter of Henry and claiming rights to his estate. Throughout the course of the film Max has to go through the stages of redemption, which include discovering the jerk he has become and rediscovering his inner child.

The two key components to his wonderful film is the scenery and the acting. The script and storyline as some have already pointed out is very unoriginal, we've seen this done plenty of times, but the beauty that is France, as well as the beauty that is Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard (who plays Fanny, the seductive woman who steals Max's heart) more than make up for the familiarity. Crowe is, as many know, my all time favorite actor ever, and I feel that he can carry any film he touches. Whether you are a fan of his phone throwing escapades or not, you have to admit that the man is gifted, very gifted. Here he proves that by being just as compelling and engrossing laughing and smiling as he is riding into battle. Albert Finney and Marion Cotillard are also wonderful here, but to me it was little Freddie Highmore (such a talented young man) who outshined most in the cast (can anyone outshine Crowe...I don't believe so).

As I said in the beginning, I don't understand all the bad press. So what if it's no `A Beautiful Mind' or `Gladiator', so what if Russell was not Lucky Jack or James Braddock, `A Good Year' is still a good time and Max Skinner is just as fun as Crowe ever was. I recommend it, I enjoyed it, no better yet, I loved every minute of it.

Oui, this is a "feel-good" movie. Oui, the script has almost no surprises in it. Oui, Ridley Scott, Russell Crowe and the rest of the cast must have had a great time shooting this.

Still, this movie delivers exactly what i expected. It made me smile, it made me laugh ("Lance Armstrong !"). It is a touch short on drama. Bon, to be honest the drama bit is poorly handled.

The actors are good and i did not feel i was making them a favour for paying to watch this movie. Ridley Scott delivers some nice views. Fair enough.

Relax, let the movie take you where you know it is going, and enjoy that simple pleasure. There are many movies out there with greater ambitions but that deliver far less.

"A Good Year" deals with the story of Max (Crowe), a heartless guy who doesn't "do weekends" and has "questionable" work ethics (you could say), who goes back to France to his recently deceased uncle's vineyards in Provence in order to sell the property. Of course the movie is completely predictable : he falls in love with the local georgeous girl (Marion Cotillard) and he changes back into this guy who loves life and is nice and all of that good stuff. But don't hold that against the movie, because you'd then be missing out on a really good one.

The movie's been described as "Under the Tuscan Sun" with a male lead, and I guess that's somewhat accurate but at the same time not really. It does play the same stories what with getting situated in a beautiful environment, but the two lead characters in both movies are very different from one another. Diane Lane's character just wanted to get away whereas Crowe's just wants to go back so it's not exactly the same situation.
A lot of people criticize the fact that it's not Crowe's or Ridley Scott's best, and sometimes go to say it's their worst movie ever made. I personally don't see it. Coming into this movie you can't be waiting for something like "The Gladiator" because if that's the case you're in for 2 hours of boredom. So ok, it's not the best movie ever made, but it's not one of the worst either. Personally I'd say it's still above average, and considering some of the movies that have been coming out, it's almost like a little piece of paradise. The movie takes its time getting to where it wants to go, taking the time to take in all the scenery and the people and just the whole charm of the environment we've been put in. The acting is fine. It's not Russell Crowe's best but it's not horrendous either and he's just fine in the role he's playing, even if I had a tough time warming up to the character (but isn't that the point?). I'm a huge fan of Marion Cotillard so i'm biased but I thought she was great in the movie. The rest of the cast does really well too even though the neighbor had a tendency to get on my nerves.

On the whole, I thought it was a good movie, I really enjoyed it. It's a nice break from action and political movies, and there's a couple of times where you can't help but laugh (the reference to Lance Armstrong, for example). It's a movie that takes its time but I wasn't bored once, it still has momentum. But if you weren't a fan of "Under The Tuscan Sun", then beware because you won't be a fan of this one.

Not only is this film charming, it is g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s! Ever frame is breathtaking. Russell Crow is utterly convincing as a modern day Cary Grant, and every bit as suave and debonair. This role is quite a departure from the rough images we've seen of him in the past.

I welcome (as in weak in the knees) this new side of Mr. Crowe.

My husband even enjoyed this movie. We're both bewildered that it didn't have more box office appeal. Perhaps critics have too much influence on ticket sales.

See it for yourself. The scenery alone delights.

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 agree completely with "Damian." I don't understand all the bad reviews either. No point going over the plot again, you can read about it in several other reviews, but I saw it twice in the theater and it made me happy and relaxed. Of course it's not high drama or great literature, but it's certainly a nice respite after "The Fountain." And you have to laugh at the "Lance Armstrong" reference. Come on, people, lighten up out there!! Let's leave some room for these kinds of movies too.

Max Skinner (Russell Crowe) has no time for leisure. He's a cold, calculating businessman, ready to make yet another fortune as the head trader for a London-based stock exchange. For him, it's never about commitment, loyalty, or trust; it's all about gaining the upper hand and coming out on top (financially speaking, of course). If that involves ruining a few careers, then so be it. How can someone of such little humility handle the rediscovery of his past, especially if it was a happy one? This is the premise behind Ridely Scott's "A Good Year," a sweet and surprisingly witty film that makes an emotional statement without getting heavy on sentimentality. It's a story of both hidden and personal truths, none seeming attainable, all having funny ways of making themselves known.

What I enjoyed most about this movie was Russell Crowe's performance, a near perfect combination of hard-nosed ambition, arrogance, and humor. He gives Skinner a charm that's undeniable, pretty much to the point of making the audience forget how unlikable a character he is. How interesting for a man of such low standards. Only someone dependent on financial success could unflatteringly refer to his coworkers as lab rats. Only a career-oriented workaholic would give his date the boot by telling her he's engaged. Only a competitive moneymaker would take a death in the family as seriously as he takes his freewheeling love life. This is Max Skinner in a nutshell: completely focused on success without giving any thought to a personal life.

The death that he initially refuses to take seriously is that of his uncle, Henry (seen in flashback and played by Albert Finney). For Skinner, it's merely another opportunity to make money; Henry lived most of his life in a Provence chateau, complete with a sprawling vineyard and a well-stocked cellar of homemade wine (one of which tastes awful, the other of which is exceptionally rare). Skinner has inherited everything, not only because Henry hadn't updated his will in over twenty years, but because Henry believed that his nephew was his only living blood relative, as well (what happened to the rest of the family--most notably Skinner's parents--is never explicitly stated). Skinner fails to see the sentimental value of the estate; his only goal is to sell it as quickly as possible. That way, he can get on with his life.

What he seems to be forgetting is that he grew up on that vineyard. Interwoven throughout the film are Skinner's flashback sequences, all of which show him as an active and happy--if a little headstrong--child (played by Freddie Highmore). Here enters a much needed dose of emotional depth and complexity; Henry clearly had a special relationship with his nephew, one that was not defined by hugs and kisses so much as it was defined by words of wisdom. The life lessons didn't cease even when they play a game of tennis; one particular scene shows how badly young Max reacted to losing. He slams his racket on the net. He pounds his feet in frustration. He yells immaturely. Henry calmly tells him that one must be just as graceful with his losses as he is with his victories. It's a good piece of advice, but the audience already knows that Max will remain bitter.

The scene also allows the audience to understand the present day Skinner, if only just a little better. Being such a sore loser as a child understandably molded him into the no-holds-barred businessman he currently is. However, that still doesn't explain why he's willing to sell this property. Was he not the happiest during his years there? Didn't his uncle mean anything to him? These are questions he'll eventually have to struggle with. He'll also have to struggle with repressed feelings that for years enabled him to forget the life he once had. The time spent on such thoughts becomes crucial; his personal assistant, Gemma (Archie Panjabi) is quick to point out that selling the chateau will not as simple as he thought it would be. She arranges for him to fly to France in order to assess the property's value and to meet with the local notaries.

When he finally arrives at the chateau, he's immediately turned off by it. The greenery is a little too wild and overgrown. The walls of the house itself are caked with years of dirt and dust. The pool is empty, save for a thick layer of mud on the bottom. The disrepair of the estate is undeniable; however, just as undeniable is the underlying beauty that's just waiting to reemerge. It would seem that Henry's long time assistants--the passionate Francis Duflot (Didier Bourdon) and his bubbly yet dedicated wife, Ludivine (Isabelle Candelier)--are the only ones who understand how special both the chateau and vineyard are. They hold a wealth of memories, not just for them, but for Skinner, as well.

Skinner initially plans to visit for one day. But through a series of work- and financially-related events, he's forced to stay a few days longer. Here begins his gradual awakening; he wanders the estate, looking for ways to make it sell faster, all the while uncovering many hidden memories that push him further and further into reacceptance. His mental turmoil is growing, and it gets even worse when he falls head over heals for Fanny Chenal (Marion Cotillard), a spunky and comically irrational woman who initially finds Skinner irritating (not helped by the fact that he almost ran her over during one of his drives). They play off of each other perfectly; both have experienced things that have made them emotionally distant, a fact that only makes the attraction even stronger.

Everything reaches a crescendo when a young American woman lands on the doorstep. Her name is Christie Roberts (Abbie Cornish), and she claims to be Henry's long lost daughter. This puts a serious damper on Skinner's plans; the chateau may in fact belong to her, meaning that Skinner will be unable to sell it. It's immediately obvious that Christie has no real interest in owning a piece of property; she merely wants to learn about her father, if not through an actual meeting, then through his letters, pictures, and memoirs. Her very presence puts Skinner in a position he's clearly uncomfortable in, made even more uncomfortable by his growing fondness for his uncle's estate.

It eventually becomes a matter of choosing; does Skinner want a life of money, or does he want a life, period? Should he sell his childhood home for financial gain, or should he embrace it (as he once did)? "This place just doesn't suit my life," he says during one of his more speculative moments. "No," replies Fanny. "It is your life that doesn't suit this place." Those bits of dialogue may have been simple, but they worked just the same; it effectively reiterates the film's message without getting too poetic. Almost everything else in this film works just as well; I'm recommending it for those who enjoy light-hearted yet important life-affirming stories. "A Good Year" has just the right mixture of heart and humor, making it virtually impossible to leave the theater feeling unsatisfied.

WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS PLOT SPOILERS. STOP READING RIGHT NOW IF YOU HAVEN'T YET SEEN THIS FILM AND WANT TO DO SO WITHOUT EXPECTATIONS.

Ok, you've been warned. If you're still reading ...

Firstly, I'll agree with many of the other reviewers that there are no real surprises in this film. It is a bit predictable ...

And SO WHAT IF IT IS???

Whilst the scenery is so beautiful (and captured so perfectly that it comes to play its own character, albeit not a major one, in this gem of a film) that it is almost distractingly so, there is a story here that, although nothing new, still very much bears telling.

Why?

Because this story, simple as it appears, never gets old, as long as it is told exceptionally well. It is a story of deep meaning, one that is relevant to many.

Simply put, this is a story about a man who "finds himself", to utilize that tired cliche. Yet most cliches do have more than just a grain of truth to them, and this film is no exception. Max Skinner, a bonds trader in England, is exceptionally good at his job, quite wealthy, a leader in his field ... in short, quite Alpha.

Yet when his beloved Uncle Henri dies, leaving (or so it seems) to Max a breath-takingly beautiful vineyard in the south of France, Max must journey to this place where he spent his summers. Max returns to the place where, with his uncle's tutelage, he gained his first insight into what it is to be a successful man.

As the story goes on, Max must come to know Christie Roberts (Abbie Cornish playing a role that proves to be a lovely addition to this film), a young lady claiming to be his Uncle's illegitimate daughter. He also re-connects with the DuFlot's, caretakers of the vineyard and villa, and also his close childhood friends. Most importantly, he encounters Fanni, a girl he does not remember from his childhood, but who clearly remembers him ... or, at least, the person he used to be.

What is so striking about this admittedly-cliched "successful businessman who finds himself" story is that Max discovers a part of himself he forgot without rejecting the man he has become. In the end, what's most remarkable is that this person that Max was as a child becomes quite integrated with who Max now is as a man. He doesn't regret his success in business, nor does he become Mr. Touchy-Feely, but there is much sincerity and wisdom in Max as he realizes where his heart and soul truly lie.

At the film's close, we're left in the knowledge that Max is: #1, in love with a truly beautiful woman of great emotional depth (can't do without that), fiesty disposition (always a delicious treat, most especially if you happen to be an alpha male) and true kindness (again, can't do without this either); #2, reconnecting to his departed Uncle through continuing the operation of the vineyard in tandem with his cousin Christie (whom he has now accepted as being truthful in her claim of being Henri's daughter); and #3, content to move forward into the future in a greater understanding that it is a man's roots, and also the family that he creates in his life, that define his identity, just as much as do his successes in business, science, art, law, and the like.

Granted, perhaps at least a bit of the above is my interpretation, but what of it? Excellent films deserve various interpretations, and now, you've heard mine. If you haven't seen this film yet, please do so, as you are in for a real treat. If you have seen this film, then perhaps you'll be inclined to agree with my interpretation. (If you don't agree, please understand in advance that you have no chance whatsoever of disuading me from my position; I'm impossible once I've got my mind made up.)

In sum total, I could very much relate to Max, and that's why I enjoy this film so much, the oh-so-very-lovely women, gorgeous scenery, and fine wine and French villa notwithstanding.

Enjoy!!

This was a cute little romantic comedy set in beautiful Provence, France. The story follows a selfish and callous London stockbroker who inherits his deceased Uncle's vineyard. He has every intention to quickly unload the burdensome property for the largest profit possible, yet when he returns to this place of his childhood summers, it grabs a hold of him. There seems to be something magical about this place and it comes through clearly in this visually stunning film. Along with this magnetic setting, he also happens upon a charming and lovely young lady in the way of Marion Cotillard, the combination of which compels him to have a sincere change of heart. Throw in a newly discovered American cousin and the goofy French couple who take care of the estate and you have an entertaining little story.

This tag team of Cotillard and French countryside is what really drew me in. I can't decide which one is more lovely, but I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a right-minded man who could resist the combination. Apparently, Russell Crowe was the star of this film but I didn't even notice, entranced as I was with the aforementioned duo. OK, I kid. You can hardly miss Crowe who is the main protagonist, and I think he does a good job in this brief departure from his usual role as a tough guy. I was also surprised to see that Ridley Scott was the director, as I am used to seeing him involved strictly in action-packed blockbuster type films.

Some reviewers have said that if you love wine and France, you will love this movie. While this is probably true, I'm not into wine, and I've never been to France, yet I still found this to be an enchanting little film. Frankly, the story is a bit cliched, and there is nothing really original or earth-shattering here, but I found myself enjoying it nonetheless. A nice, pleasant movie to enjoy with your sweetheart, or just your lonely self. Four stars.

I really don't understand all the bad reviews from critics and reviewers alike for I personally loved this movie. Now, it's not the grandest spectacle to grace the big screen nor is it Russell Crowe's finest hour, but `A Good Year' is some quality entertainment and serves it purpose in the relaxed and happy season that is fall. Having just seen the poorly made and highly overrated `Catch a Fire' I was ready to relax and watch something entertaining and enjoyable, and being the Russell Crowe fan that I undoubtedly am I decided that `A Good Year' would be just that movie.

Max Skinner (Crowe) is a stuck up British stock broker who at one time was a kind hearted soul, and his fondest memories are littered with his Uncle Henry (Finney) and his Chateau in France. Upon his Uncles death Max is left the sole owner of Henry's estate, and in like fashion he flies out there in order to sell if for profit and make it back ASAP. What he doesn't bank on is Christie Roberts (Abbie Cornish) showing up claiming to be the long lost daughter of Henry and claiming rights to his estate. Throughout the course of the film Max has to go through the stages of redemption, which include discovering the jerk he has become and rediscovering his inner child.

The two key components to his wonderful film is the scenery and the acting. The script and storyline as some have already pointed out is very unoriginal, we've seen this done plenty of times, but the beauty that is France, as well as the beauty that is Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard (who plays Fanny, the seductive woman who steals Max's heart) more than make up for the familiarity. Crowe is, as many know, my all time favorite actor ever, and I feel that he can carry any film he touches. Whether you are a fan of his phone throwing escapades or not, you have to admit that the man is gifted, very gifted. Here he proves that by being just as compelling and engrossing laughing and smiling as he is riding into battle. Albert Finney and Marion Cotillard are also wonderful here, but to me it was little Freddie Highmore (such a talented young man) who outshined most in the cast (can anyone outshine Crowe...I don't believe so).

As I said in the beginning, I don't understand all the bad press. So what if it's no `A Beautiful Mind' or `Gladiator', so what if Russell was not Lucky Jack or James Braddock, `A Good Year' is still a good time and Max Skinner is just as fun as Crowe ever was. I recommend it, I enjoyed it, no better yet, I loved every minute of it.