Genres

Visitors Review

2012-05-24 23:16:20

Good Movie for wine lovers

This review is from: A Good Year (Full-Screen Edition) (DVD) We enjoyed this movie for it is a lot like "Bottle Shock" but more human. The cast was great and it is almost like what life is like for the people who works at the wineries.

2012-05-24 13:19:32

What a great suprise Russell is! A delicious movie!

At first I had doubts about Russell Crowe taking a lead in a romantic comedy but but was I pleasantly surprised. This movie is an absolute sleeping beauty, a winner of a delightful passage in the gorgeous south of France.Bravura performances by Albert Finny in the flashback scenes of our hero's boyhood. Marvellous story, sharp and witty script, fluid movement, a romp from one end to the other. Most wonderful of all was Crowe who mixed the hard nosed investment fast lane type with a man coming to grips with life's real values so well, I wanted the movie to keep on and on and show us more how he settled into his paradise in the Louberon.All the supporting players were wonderful, but above all, I loved the cutbacks to Finney and the insights of how the boy became the man. This kind of wonderful character development is rare in most movies today. Kudos to the great Ridley Scott and writer Marc Klein for giving me a few hours to forget about the crappy world and remind me that there are places in today's world one can escape to and feel wonderfully human,even if it'ssitting watching a movie. Highly recommended! Vive Lamour!

Mama M 2012-05-23 19:24:20

Whats not to like about Russell

He can be the romantic lead and love story's are his thing..just look at A Beautiful Mind. There was a love story and a sense of humor to boot. I loked the feel of this movie and it was nice to see something new froma great actor like Russell.Good Job Scott and Crowe

2012-05-23 07:07:11

A refreshing light-hearted movie.

What a refreshing, light-hearted movie.Russel Crowe does a good job in his role as Max-a-Million, a busy trader in London who goes to Provence, France to handle the estate of his late uncle with whom he spent his summers growing up. The beautiful scenes captured of rolling hills of vineyards, the chateau, wine cellar, and warm sunsets bring the viewer to a place where you can almost feel and taste that wine glass touching your lips.If you are looking for a movie that will put you to bed with pleasant dreams at night, this is it. Nothing bad happens.

2012-05-15 09:50:36

Broken DVD

What we saw of the DVD looked good, but the two DVDs in the store broke up and finally "stalled". We ordered our own "A Good Year" and are hoping this one will have no "jerking, studdering, and crashing".

2012-05-14 19:32:40

BLAME RIDLEY SCOTT, NOT RUSSELL CROWE

Ridley Scott is an inconsistent director. He has had one overwhelming success (Gladiator), a few borderline successes (e.g., Black Hawk Down), and several cult successes (Alien and Thelma and Louise). The rest of his films, for the most part, have been disasters, including the now infamous Kingdom Of Heaven and the cult-film-wannabe Blade Runner. If you want to read everything that Ridley Scott is NOT, read his entry on Wikipedia.His decision-making in A GOOD YEAR is across the board. He shows brilliance in choosing cinematographer Phillippe Le Sourd, who won a Satellite Award for his vision of Provence in harvest season, with a gorgeous pallet of blues and oranges. But then he seems to have lost his mind in casting Russell Crowe in the lead, an extremely talented actor who has never shown any inclination toward comedy in any film he has ever done, and who, quite frankly, lacks the vulnerability and charm to pull it off. Crowe does his best to make self-absorbed stock trader Max Skinner interesting, but fails to make him funny even once, and pretty much fails to make him romantic, even though this is a romantic comedy.Again, Scott shows brilliance in choosing Marion Cotillard to play the love interest, Fanny Chenal; Abbie Cornish to play Christie Roberts, Max's only competition for his uncle's estate; Archie Panjabi to play Max's dry-witted assistant; Albert Finney to play Max's uncle; and Freddie Highmore to play the young Max Skinner. But then he makes strange choices in music that doesn't seem to fit the style of the film.With gorgeous photography, Russell Crowe's talent and an attractive location and cast, it's hard not to like this film. It's just hard to laugh and just as hard to get into the attempts at romance. There is very little at stake here, and so there is very little payoff. There is very little reason to care if Max makes the right choices. We care more for the women in the film than we do for Max. Do we really want to wish him on any of them? I guess scriptwriter Marc Klein, who based his screenplay on Peter Mayle's novel, could be blamed for this. But it's a lot more fun to blame Ridley Scott.Waitsel Smith

2012-05-14 01:22:56

A REAL SLEEPER

This review is from: A Good Year (Widescreen Edition) (DVD) I never heard of A Good Year... until I was surfing through my TIVO movie choices under the letter "A" and decided to record it. I have since seen the movie about 6 times within the last month, as I am watching it with my family and friends that I want to see the movie!! I especially adored the end credits, and hearing the song "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny, Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" sung in French while watching stills from the movie. This was a real HOOT!!I have purchased the movie for my own, and wholeheartly recommed it to all!

2012-05-13 02:30:52

"Bottling The Truth" ~ The Many Vintages Of Life

`A Good Year' released in '06 is an excellent film to while away an evening with the one you love. The scenery is gorgeous, the cast superior and attractive and the plot predictable but rewarding nonetheless. Russell Crowe delivers his usual strong performance as the rich, obnoxious, self-absorbed Max Skinner, personality traits that certainly were not too much of a stretch of his acting abilities. However the real strength of the movie is found in the supporting cast; Freddie Highmore as young Max and Albert Finney as Uncle Henry (both seen in flashback sequences), lovely Marion Cotillard as romantic interest Fanny and Archie Panjabi as Max's sexy assistant Gemma to name just a few. One of the surprise treasures of this delightful and rewarding story and a perfect compliment to the surrounding French landscape in which it was filmed is a charming soundtrack filled with a wonderfully original and whimsical mix of French and English songs, both vintage and contemporary that will transport the listener into an intoxicating and nostalgic state of reverie. If you love films like `Under the Tuscan Sun' and `A Walk in the Clouds' you'll love this one too! My rating: 4 ½ Stars.

Amy Adler 2012-05-12 21:51:43

A Good Year is a good time at the movies, if a trifle blase in parts

Max (Russell Crowe) is a cutthroat banking executive who loves tooutwit fellow bankers and score big bucks in the fray. A workaholic, heseldom makes time for anything like a personal life. Word comes oneday, however, that his uncle has died in Provence and that Max is theinheritor of a large house and a vineyard. Pausing to reflect on hiswonderful memories of his uncle, Max nevertheless travels to Francewith the sole intention of selling the place as quickly as possible.Yet, there are distractions from his plans from the moment herediscovers the old mansion. The vineyard caretaker is amiable, a locallady is beauty personified and a previously unknown relative turns upon the doorstep, too. Is it possible for a ruthless banker to develop aheart and a taste for the simple life? This is first, and foremost, alovely film to watch. The locale, in France, is stunning, much like thebeautiful scenery from another film called French Kiss. All movie fanswho like to go gaga over gorgeous footage should make a date to seethis film. Crowe, a fine actor, is pleasing in his role as the banker.The supporting cast is also very nice, especially the woman who playsMax's catty secretary. Tom Hollander, who scored big laughs in lastyear's Pride and Prejudice, is also a lot of fun as a cohort of Max's.There is really nothing wrong with the film except that life, in thecountry, moves at a slow pace and there are parts of the film that seemto crawl. Scott, with Blade Runner, Matchstick Men, and Gladiator onhis resume, has a secure place in film history as a stellar director.One can accept the fact that he probably longed for a chance of paceand chose to do this film. Although it is not the one he will probablybest remembered for, A Good Year is still a very pleasant and oftenwitty film. It will probably age very well, just like fine wine from avineyard in France.

bapadget 2012-05-12 16:48:48

Two greats at play

Not great art, maybe. But the feeling I get from the movie is thatScott and Crowe (along with the others) were having a great deal offun. I could do with a lot more of artists just coming out to play asthey do here.My only regret - the movie hints at some sources of conflict betweenHenry and Max, such as Henry's mental health (I.E. The delusion/fantasyof dancing with Amelia Aerhart), and the unsuitability of a "badinfluence" uncle as a main caregiver for a child. Even makingallowances for a fluff piece, why would anyone, even a total jerk, havebroken things off so completely? That needs some fleshing-out.

BloodyThorn 2012-05-11 05:08:15

I should have known

I didn't notice this was a Ridley Scott when I started the movie, butafter it was finished, I couldn't have expected anything less. Thismovie was charming, funny, and well worth the time spent watching it. Iam certainly a sucker for romantic comedies, but this had so much morethan just that. A man finding himself, coming to terms with his life,and finding his dreams that he had lost when he was a boy. Not sure a 9even does this justice. More like a 9.9, not perfect, but REALLY good.Russel Crowe does a great job, and the supporting cast is great.Watching the movie made me want to spend some time in the south ofFrance.

Sa'ar Vardi 2012-05-10 11:01:57

As it's title may imply, "A Good Year" is just that: a good film by Ridley Scott

I had the chance to see this film during an early press screening inRamat Gan, Israel, several weeks ago, and was pleasantly surprised. Agood friend of mine that came along was thrilled with the views andlandscapes and caught up with the dramatic plot, despite having adistinct preference for action flicks. Speaking of which, here's achance to give a little tip for the guys: although this is generallyreferred to as a "chick flick", the screen is filled with the presenceof 2 beautiful women throughout the film. Watch out for the young AbbieCornish (who appears in a brief nude sequence, so don't blink) and forthe arousing french actress Marion Cotillard as Crowe's love interestthroughout the film.As it's title may imply, "A Good Year" is just that: a good film byRidley Scott. It's tone reminded me of Scott's Matchstick Men and it'spremise is similar to Under the Tuscan Sun. Nonetheless, despite thesimilarities, Scott managed to create something new and different inthis movie, muchly thanks to it's rich plot, vivid characters andbreathtaking landscape, that build up an enchanting European atmospherethat allows you to wander off to France for some enjoyable 118 minutes.The plot follows Maximillian Skinner (Crowe), a young and brightmanager in the British stock market that has low morals which bring himhigh financial results. He's cocky and arrogant, and like allcharacters that appear in films of this nature, his life is about tochange dramatically. This occurs one sunny day when he finds out hisUncle Henry (Albert Finney, who appears in flashbacks throughout thefilm) has passed away and left him his heritage: a vineyard inProvence, France. Skinner immediately realizes the financial value ofthe property and boards the first plane to the colorful valley.Arriving there, he is filled with childhood memories through which wesee Henry teaching his young oprhan nephew Max (Freddy Highmore,"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory") the values of life. Meanwhile, theplot thickens when a young attractive American girl arrives, claimingshe's Henry's long lost daughter and posing a threat to Henry'sinheritance. When problems at work force him into a for-longed leaf ofabsence, he falls in love with a local French woman and startsunveiling the secrets of the vineyard.I gave it 8 out of 10, for it is a good way to spend a matinée or anevening with your partner.

anglophile19 2012-05-06 09:06:16

Life must be great in "A Good Year". If only it was a good movie.

Pity poor Max Skinner (Russel Skinner) in "A Good Year". His crossroadslead him to choose if he either wants to make millions in Londonskillfully playing the stock market (the opening sequence which showshow he masters the stock market by selling high and buying low to hugeprofits would even be described by "Stock Broking for Dummies" asastonishingly simple) and bedding an endless parade of gorgeous urbanwomen, OR, live in serene luxury in the French wine valley and frolicwith the hot and sassy local bistro owner Fanny (Marion Cotilliard).What a Catch-22 this is! It's not the only flaw that director Ridley Scott and writer Marc Klein(adapting the film from the Peter Mayle novel) seem to have difficultyidentifying a dilemma to its rather blessed protagonist, but also theyseem to lack a general ambition to add any substance or generalengagement to it's horse-and-pony story. Never does it find a way topull us in to its pretty standard drama (or lack thereof) or find muchdepth in what is really more of a smug fantasy than a self-reflectivestudy of finding the right path to follow that "A Good Year" ostensiblysets out to be.Although you can question the rumors that suggested the film was madeand produced solely to soften the tattered public image of it's starCrowe (where last year's notorious phone-throwing incident wasconsidered to be the main downfall of "Cinderella Man"), there islittle other reason for this film to exist. It's as pretty and polishedas the best tourism promos (which might be the real use of "A GoodYear") and with even less emotional weight.The basic plot can be described in one paragraph: Max Skinner is anundisputed giant on the London stock market scene, making millions forhis company and clearly enjoying the numerous splendors success seemsto bring. But, wait, is that really ENOUGH? After his great unclepasses away, he finds a potential gold mine in the vineyard that hefrequently visited as a kid, as he ventures to France looking to put itout on the market as soon as possible and in the meantime act like thebiggest jerk possible to the perhaps less financially comfortablelocals. However, his plans get complicated with the arrival of a youngAmerican woman Christie (Abbie Cornish), straight from Napa Valley, whoclaims to be the illegitimate daughter of his uncle and thus would makeher the rightful heir. Other issues include the laborers on thevineyard who aren't too thrilled of a possible ownership change, alingering stock market rivalry at home and the aforementioned sassybistro owner, whose initial repulsion of Max seems to dissipateimmediately.Now these complications would supposedly spark conflict in the story,but they're allayed and ultimately subjugated to such a minor degreethat very little actually ends up happening in this lackluster flick.Ridley Scott clearly seems more comfortable on an epic scale (we allremember his last pairing with Russel Crowe), and he stumbles withoutmuch compassion through the film's odd and misfiring attempts at lightcomedy and earnest, sunny humanism. Fine down-under actors like Crowe(who, early on, seems to be playing his public persona to a perfect Ttill he becomes pretty begnin midway through) and Cornish (who wascaptivating in her little-seen breakthrough "Somersault") are wasted inconfused, threadbare roles that seem to be expected to writethemselves. Given, they're given more respect than anybody else in themovie, who treat them either as beautiful scenery or slick, affluentidiots. All the people on screen ultimately seem perfectly tranquil andplenty bored, which is exactly how I felt throughout this movie. It'spretty enough to look at, but there's no taste to this glass of lightwine.

Sam Leventhal 2012-05-05 21:32:05

Great Romantic Comedy - Your money or your life!

The romantic tension between Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillardreminded me of the repartee between Cary Grant and Grace Kelly in ToCatch a Thief, but better.Your money or your life is really one of the deeper themes of themovie. Russell, a highly successful trader for a London Brokerage firmhas an incredible trading day where he grosses 77,000,000 in profit forthe firm. Then he receives notice that his uncle Henry, the onlyrelative that he loved, has passed away and left his Provence estatewith vineyard to him the only living relative.Once in Provence, he runs into Fannie (Marion Cotillard), who he metwhen he was a boy, and they both are attracted to each other. They havean affair and then he returns to London where he is offered a cash outor a partnership.He decides to return to Provence. And the scene where he proposes toFannie at the Restaurant is absolutely wonderful.Shots of the French country side, the different sunlight over thevineyards at different times of the day are wonderful.It's a question many of us must answer. Our money or our life!

2012-05-05 06:52:17

Critics are WRONG

A good movie - The story develops nicely and Russel Crowe really is good in this. Not a part that will stretch his talents but he really plays it well. The setting is wonderful - Hahhh La Provence!!Go see this one for an entertaining evening (with a date).

2012-05-04 17:06:37

"Dying is easy. Comedy is hard."

I've been a fan of Russell Crowe for long time and I like a lot all his performances I've seen. He is a very talented actor, one of the best of his generation. He is especially good and convincing at playing strong, charismatic, intense, and often brooding characters but I've noticed that I like him the most when he smiles. He does not do it often, on the contrary, his smile is a rare gift but it changes his face completely, it literally lights his face, makes it younger, softer, and even tender. I have always been curious to see him in a light and funny comedy and when I learned that he and Ridley Scott who has directed him to the Oscar in "The Gladiator" teamed up for a romantic comedy that takes place in the vineyard of sunny Provence, in the south of France, I was very interested in seeing it.I should say that even though I had expected more from the movie, it was nice. The story is very familiar and predictable but the film is a delight to watch since it was made by a master of the stunningly beautiful visuals, the master who can look at the familiar landmark from the different prospective, the way nobody else has. The best about "A Good Year" is its look - dreamy, enveloping, delightfully intoxicating - just as wine that plays such a big role in the story of Max Skinner (Russell Crowe) who one day suddenly finds himself back in the place where he used to be happy once as a boy but almost forgot the feeling having left for a huge dynamic mega polis where he has become a ruthless arrogant businessman. He will have to slow down and to learn what the real pleasures, values, and priorities in life are. Once more, Russell Crowe has proved that he can act but I found his performance a little too heavy and intense for such a silly light comedy. Watching him in "A Good Year" reminds me of an old story. A famous comic actor, lying on his deathbed, was asked by a friend, "Is it hard, this dying?" "No," replied the actor. "Dying is easy. Comedy is hard." I was glad to see Crowe in the comedy even if not completely successful and there was one absolutely charming and hilarious scene with Crowe driving the smallest and cutest car imaginable which brought to my mind the similar scene in the latest Woody Allen's comedy. I began to wonder what Woody Allen's next project would be. What if two of them, Allen and Crowe will get to work together? That would be a comedy I will never miss.

2012-05-04 22:07:05

a luke-warm so-so movie with blend, cliched script, directing, and so-so acting

lot of scenes should be deleted from this drag-along deadbeat movie, just like that 'under the tuscan sun'. quite quite boring. crowe's face has become even meaty and always given a little bit on the dirty and ugly side. did we have to watch the whole tennis play scene until the game was set? beautiful french countryside scenary. two beautiful young females as eye candy but totally out of place in this, say, romantic movie in the wine country? the dialogue was too staged and pretentious too. watchable, just like 'the holiday'. not too bad but absolutely not good enough to call it great. are we have enough of this kind of movies yet?

2012-05-04 04:23:28

watchable

Max, a banker (Russell Crowe), lives in London; he soon receives news that his uncle Henry (Albert Finney) died. So, Max inherits the winery in Southern France. He goes to France with the hopes of selling the winery, but what he will find, will make him hesitate.Of course, he will meet two girls, one being the illegitimate daughter of Henry, and the other a local girl, Fanny Chenal (Marion Cotillard) with whom Max possibly will fall in love.This movie certainly could have been better, however with a simple plot like this one, it is very doubtful.What is expected happens, no twists there!The acting is horrendous - except for Finney and Highmore (young Max). Crowe tends to be a little stuck-up at times, and Cotillard looks disgusted when Crowe and she kiss.The viewer doesn't get to see much about wine, wineries. The sites shown of Southern France aren't enough to make the viewer visit the area.The story is based on a book by Peter Mayle... and that, to me, says it all. Mayle = boredom. Therefore this movie couldn't have been a great one.Watchable once... if you really want to. Otherwise, pass and move on to something more interesting and worthwhile.

Rene 2012-04-27 06:12:55

Very bad

This movie was terrible and I pretty much blame that on the acting of Russell Crowe. The story line was ok but when Crowe got in, it was all down hill from there. DO waste your money

2012-04-26 23:49:01

What a gem

This review is from: A Good Year (Widescreen Edition) (DVD) This has to be one of the most delightful romantic comedies of all time. The story is of a cocky, arrogant London based stock broker Maximilian Skinner (Russell Crowe) who is left a chateau and vineyard in Provence by his uncle Henry (Albert Finney), the man who literally educated him in the finer points of life. During the movie, Max learns much about life, and begins to understand the lessons taught him by his uncle, whilst falling for a French beauty, Fanny Chenal (Marion Cotillard) who completes his re-education to a softer, more likeable character. The supporting cast are also superb....Charlie (Tom Hollander) as Max's pretentious realtor, "we dont say shabby, Max, we say with a patina of a bigone era", and later, in response to Max's cousin Christie (Abbie Cornish) to examine her (sunburned) back, a stary eyed, mouth open, "Thanks!"; Jemma, (Archie Panjabi), as Max's loyal and deliciously synical assistant, and Francis and Ludivine Duflot, the wonderful couple who oversee the vineyards and chateau.I am simply astounded by some of the negative reviews of this movie, and can only assume that the reviewers either didn't listen to the dialogue, or were unaware of the nuances and subtleties of the humor! The script is hilarious, with a constant stream of classic lines and situations, and from Henry(Albert Finney), to his nephew, the young Max, well played by Freddie Highmore, ageless wisdom and wit. At one point, the young Max states that he wants to finish his book,(Death in Venice), to which Henry replies, "Given the title, I don't think you will be surprised by the ending!"The music is fabulous, both whith some haunting original pieces as well as the use of a score of classic songs from virtually every decade of the last century. Top that with magnificent scenery and beautiful cinematography, and you end up with a gem that I am sure will become a late blooming classic.