Customer Reviews

A Year in Provence

5 star:		(54)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

A Year in Provence is a thoroughly enjoyable, witty, humorous series starring the late John Thaw (Inspector Morse, Kavanagh QC), who sadly died of throat cancer in 2002. The series is based on the real-life experiences of Peter Mayle and his wife who left their jobs and lives in England to move to the south of France. Mayle's intention was to settle in this idyllic corner of paradise to write a novel; what resulted was a memoir which served as the basis for this splendid series.

Beginning in winter, the series covers the Mayles' first year in Provence and dramatises the many trials and tribulations they faced in adjusting to the local customs and peculiarities (like goat racing and truffle hunting) and to their new environment. There were the gale-force winter winds ("les Mistrals") to contend with; added to that, the lovely, rustic old farmhouse they bought came complete (alas) with inadequate insulation, frozen water pipes, and no central heating! While the laid-back, lazy lifestyle may have been an attraction when the Mayles were in England, they soon learn it has its drawbacks when it comes to getting anything done--like the much-needed repairs and renovations by the builders! Then there's the joy of entertaining visitors from back home, the pleasure of which is somewhat dimmed when they find they've inadvertently overlapped the visits of three couples.

The series has been presented in a boxed set of four 90-minute episodes--one for each season from Winter through Autumn. Each episode is broken down into three 30-minute parts--one for each month of the season. Though we chose to watch the series in its 90-minute blocks, one could easily watch it in half-hour blocks if one preferred.

In conclusion, I highly, highly recommend this delightful series to anyone who enjoys British entertainment in general. I'm extremely glad I took a chance on this set as it's been a series our whole family has really enjoyed watching (and one we look forward to watching again in the not-too-distant future). I might just mention (in case it's not obvious!) that one ought not to expect any heavy drama or an action-packed, intricately plotted series here. This is simply not that kind of show. In fact, I'd have to say that really belongs in a genre all its own. It is a nice clean, relaxing show with no sex, violence or bad language--just a plethora of entertaining and often hilarious incidents set against the pastoral backdrop of the gorgeous Provencal landscape. Just perfect (in my opinion) for unwinding at the end of the day!

When I first saw the title of this movie, I was intrigued. I wasn't looking for a movie about France, but any movie title with the word Provence has my attention. When I saw it was a TV comedy, I thought it might be a nice few hours escape. I also imagined it might have some Provence countryside and local flair.

This movie starts out very slowly, so you have to be patient. In fact, I wasn't sure I had put in the right tape to start with, but soon I figured out what the movie was about. Peter (an advertising executive) and his wife who decide to quit their jobs in England and just run off to southern France. After buying a quaint farmhouse in Provence, they try to settle into the slow paced country life. This is a very laid back movie, and that is perhaps its charm.

Food is also a theme in this movie. There are romantic restaurants and fun scenes of Peter going to the bakery to get a baguette for breakfast. There is a bit of drama with the bakery near the end of the movie.

You will laugh out loud in some scenes as Peter is pulled along with a pig hunting for truffles. There is a "truffle mystery theme" running through the movie. The humor in this made-for-TV romantic comedy is dry English humor, which I quite enjoy. This is really more of a comedy, than a romance. Perhaps the romance is that a couple is trying to find their dream and they stick together through the good and the bad.

What I loved was that Peter was a writer and he is always trying to finish his novel. His wife helps him on a writing assignment about Provence and that is when things turn more into a mystery.

There is a good dose of the "French language" in this movie, but you always know what the actors are saying because Peter and his wife let you know. The cultural misunderstandings are very amusing, but trying in a way. Annie and Peter do attempt to fit in and learn as much French as they can.

When they experience the good and the bad, it is then they appreciate France all the more. The "mistral" winds (strong winds) catch them off guard as they never imagined they would have to deal with a freezing cold environment. When the pipes freeze and they are expecting company, they end up starting a kitchen renovation, which takes forever to complete.

To top it all off, people keep dropping in unexpectedly and expect to be entertained. While they enjoy the company of "real friends," they do attempt to get rid of a summer guest only to have him make a choice they are not happy with. The situations these two characters get themselves into are quite funny. They also meet up with quite a few interesting characters, those being the local residents.

I do wish they had shown more of the Provençal countryside and lifestyle, but it was entertaining. I have always thought it would be fun to live in France and be a writer. This movie was entertaining in that regard. I would also love to live in that house with a pool! What a life! If you enjoy English humor, which is very dry...you will love it! If you love Provence, France, this is a rare treat.

~The Rebecca Review

Anyone reading my reviews on Peter Mayle's two novel's on Provence are well aware of the admiration I have for those books. Having read each several times over....and given many more away as gifts I was truly excited, yet apprehensive about making these "jewels" into a mini-series. Even with the BBC at the helm I was concerned about them maintaining the integrity of Mr. Mayle's novel's. So when they were released on PBS I held my breath... and waited for the worst.

Well, I'm now breathing again! What a wonderful surprise! Peter and Annie,as portrayed by John Thaw and Lindsay Duncan, are marvelously captured in all of the glories that make up Provence and their stories have been reworked into screen format that make the books literally come to life. The series is visually stunning, the characters that we cared about so much in the books are vividly captured and in some cases even fleshed out better than in Mr. Mayle's novels. And where did they find these truly gifted French actors? I know,I know...in France! Well, there's simply not a bad apple in this barrell! As you can see from all these exclamation points I am very happy with the finished product. So happy that I actually purchased my very own copy on DVD. Something I simply wouldn't normally do! Oui!!

The spirit of the books have remained intact and, especially Mr. Thaw, does a wonderful job of portraying "innocent's abroad" in each chapter, broken up as seasons in the series. An idea which I loved! And kudos go to director David Tucker for having the sense to give the film a true beginning by placing our protagonists in London,giving the series the feel of a new start for Peter and Annie and of the difference in existing cultures which was imperative for a film such as this to really work.

Now, while some may see the series as being little more than an adult "fairy tale", I simply tend to enjoy this for what it may be intended. A wonderful series about people searching for their own little paradise and finding it in the most peculiar places. In their own hearts. Enjoy!

P.S. Is there any chance of making "Hotel Pastis" into a series?

This 4-video set is one of those rare birds -- an adaptation that is better then the original book. Peter Mayle's A Year in Provence is good, but the screenplay made a few important changes that made all the difference.

The addition of a wife for Mayle is the main difference. While Mayle has a wife in the book, she fades so far into the background as to be virtually invisible. I see from the dedication in the book that her name is Jenny, but since the screenwriter had to create a wife out of whole cloth here, he gave her a new name as well -- Annie. The addition of Annie and the casting of Lindsay Crouse make all the difference.

Another difference was to subtract ex-spouses and grown children, which serves to streamline the story. Peter in the film is somewhat more short-tempered and loud than Peter in the book, but this makes a nice contrast with Annie. And who is going to make himself out to be a blowhard in his own book, after all? The rest of the story is much as Mayle wrote it.

This set has become one of our family favorites. We borrowed the public library's copies several times, then finally bought our own and watch it at least once a year. It's broken down into twelve 30-minute chapters, one for each month. You can watch it in half hour chunks or 90-minute doses, a whole season (and tape) at a time. The chapters stand alone, but are also threaded together to make a real story. In fact, the story comes together so neatly, that one suspects that although these episodes may really have happened, perhaps they happened over a period of several years, or in a different order. Still, some of the best non-fiction writers out there are novelists at heart.

The acting and the scenery in A Year in Provence are just great. The French characters are played by French actors and speak no English in the film. Since the Mayles are learning French, they are able to translate for us and it doesn't seem awkward.

There you have it: entertaining writing, good acting, gorgeous scenery, and a free French lesson thrown in.

This set of videos will give you hours of pleasure and make you want to pack up and make the grand move to France. What a wonderful visual delight to see France and share the fun that Peter Mayle and his lovely wife must have experienced. My wife and I could barely stop watching at the end of each video tape. The story captures your heart and mind. The humor is subtle and every so delectable. It leaves you wanting to spend another Year in Provence. I would highly recommend the video set if you want to see Mr. Mayle's work put on the screen.

While different from the two books it is based upon, the series brings its own magic to one's living room. As we follow the adventures of the Mayles in Provence, we can almost taste the local foods and smell the local smells. With original and entertaining characters, one falls in love with the southern way of life.

This set is a terrific antidote to daily stress and pressure. It's a wonderful series with top notch acting, directing and dialogue. Like the best of PG Wodehouse, it presents a world where the everyday challenges are so minimal that they become comical. The Mayles battle annoying houseguests (Alfred Molina from Boogie Nights), strange neighbors, huge lunches, procrastinating builders, constantly crowing roosters, self-obsessed Parisiens, drunk plasterers, scantily-clad baker's wives, truffle poachers and a variety of other wonderfully realized characters. Top it off with home made wine, ridiculously mangled French (from the Mayles), a Citroen and a dead fox and you've got a winner. This is a set that draws you in and makes you want to watch it repeatedly. Terrific!

Peter and Annie, a retired ad executive and a tax accountant, leave behind England's dreary weather, wilted vegetables, and ironical dinner parties, for Provence, a region of Southern France. They throw themselves wholeheartedly and usually with good humor into the mysteries of truffle hunting, grape pressing, and french conjugations. No need to worry about what you remember from French class, if anything--Peter and Annie translate as they go along. Personally, I could watch John Thaw open mail and be satisfied, but this video is great for re-establishing one's faith in community loyalty, fine dining, the British sense of "humour", and happy endings. Suitable for children.

How come I never heard anyone talk about this movie? I stumbled across it by accident at the video store. Rather than pay $14 just to rent it once go ahead and buy it, you won't be disappointed. After watching tape 1 thought to myself, oh I have to buy this one! You will feel like you are right there in Provence, a great escape. Let's see this on DVD!

This is an hearty and wholly marvelous adapation of Peter Mayle's ever-popular writing! Filmed on location, Tucker is able to creatively bring Mayle's cast of characters to life. Of course, some names and scenarios have been changed in the series; however, the overall spirit of Mayle's work is well-preserved. John Thaw is superb in his role as Peter Mayle, and Lindsay Duncan is convincing in her portrayal of Annie Mayle. This is truly a "must see" series!