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Review #309 of 365
Movie Review of A Good Year (2006) [PG-13] 118 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $14.00
Where Viewed: Colorado Cinemas Cherry Creek 8, Denver, CO
When 1st Seen: 16 November 2006
Time: 9:50 p.m.
Film's Official Website
DVD Release Date: unscheduled
Review Dedicated to: Auntie Susan of Somerset, NJ
Directed by: Ridley Scott (Kingdom of Heaven)
Screenplay by: Marc Klein (Serendipity) based on the book by Peter Mayle ( What's Happening to Me?)
Featured Cast (Where You Might Remember Him/Her From):
Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) • Albert Finney (Corpse Bride) • Russell Crowe (Cinderella Man) • Rafe Spall (Green Street Hooligans) • Archie Panjabi (The Constant Gardener) • Tom Hollander (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest) • Didier Bourdon (Vive la vie) • Isabelle Candelier (Parfum de la dame en noir, Le) • Marion Cotillard (Fair Play) • Jacques Herlin (Léoléa) • Abbie Cornish (Somersault)
Soundtrack: order the CD below
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word or less review of this film]
After Russell Crowe's Cinderella Man was virtually brushed aside at last year's Academy Awards® Nomination ceremony, some will wonder does this later-in-the-year release of his new film, A Good Year, signal hope for a better shot at some acknowledgement of his work. So far, few pundits have included the film on their top lists even as long shots which will befuddle people who see the film. Certainly, the film deserves a long, hard, look. Going against it is a plethora of films that will be perceived as more politically essential to the landscape of films released this year. Feel good films like, this one, rarely stack up in the minds of the nominators except for one bold year where Shakespeare in Love beat out hot contenders as Saving Private Ryan, Elizabeth, Life is Beautiful, and Thin Red Line. Given the political landscape and the elation in the nation at prospects for change, I wouldn't be so quick to toss A Good Year out of the race. Entertainment Weekly Magazine doesn't even list it as a long shot in their Holiday Movie Preview predictions which is a complete oversight.
"Every vintage is nothing more than bottled truth. Heat, rain, picked too early, picked too late, it matters not. The wine will always whisper into your mouth with complete, unabashed honesty."--Uncle Henry
As the title suggests, the film is about one, life-changing year when a callous, brutally talented, London bond trader named Max Skinner (Russell Crowe) is thrust back in time, not literally, recalling fond memories of his childhood summers on his Uncle's vineyard in France when his beloved Uncle Henry (Albert Finney) dies and French law determines him the closest living relative and, therefore, the sole inheritor of his Uncle's 'fortune'. Fortune is something relative to Max who routinely, and borderline unethically, earns millions of dollars per day for his company. He refers to his crack team of traders as "Lab Rats" as they embark on the challenges of each "greedy day" to earn lots and lots of money. In his usual way, Mr. Crowe immerses himself into the character, this time sort of a well-balanced Bordeaux blended from his characters of Maximum and Dr. Jeffrey Wigand. He is a brilliantly wealthy ladies man whose had little success with the ladies due to a long-standing semi-social awkwardness that formed as a lad where he's portrayed by the charming, bespectacled Freddie Highmore. This stands in sharp contrast with his uncle who was know throughout the region for his love of women and his many dalliances. When Max's assistant Gemma (Archie Panjabi) informs him that he must travel to France to take care of the legal work regarding is Uncle's vineyard, at first he is aghast at the thought of leaving his life unattended for even a brief time.
"…Mr. Crowe immerses himself into the character, this time sort of a well-balanced Bordeaux blended from his characters of Maximum and Dr. Jeffrey Wigand."
He recalls vividly how his own rise to the top occurred when his mentor and supervisor left on holiday, and he snagged his job right out from under him while he was away. Eventually, however, he warms to the idea, and a one-week suspension from trading by the company's chair, Sir Nigel (Kenneth Cranham) while an investigation is conducted into his recent $77 million day, paves the way for him to go without concern. Upon arrival, he is reacquainted with his Uncle's caretakers of the vineyard, Francis Duflot (Didier Bourdon) and his wife Ludivine (Isabell Candelier) whom he knew as a child. He stays in contact with his best friend and realtor, Charlie Willis (Tom Hollander), as his intention is to sell the vineyard for a hefty price. After a short stay, he's more determined that ever to sell, despite everyone in the region attempting to convince him otherwise. Flashbacks to lessons he learned from his uncle as a child lead him to believe this is what his uncle would have wanted. Ah, but of course, French fate intervenes and traps him in the empty swimming pool without a ladder to escape. He misses his plane back and is finally 'rescued' by a mysterious woman from town named Fanny Chenal (Marion Cotillard) whom he narrowly missed hitting passing by her in his Smart Car while fumbling for his phone which had fallen onto the floor of the car mid-call on the way to meet with the legal advisor overseeing his inheritance. She notices his car when she, herself, happens to be driving by the estate and decides to get her revenge—she turns the water on to fill the pool, but just enough to potentially drown him. Being stranded, does him the world of good in helping to determine if it is the place that doesn't suit his life or his life that doesn't suit the place. The little kid in him comes back to life, and he starts enjoying himself, perhaps for the first time since his was a little kid. Still, he's intent on selling. Things grow more complicated, however, when a young American woman named Christie Roberts, played awkwardly by Australian actress, Abbie Cornish, shows up claiming to be Uncle Henry's daughter. She would, therefore, be the actual inheritor of the vineyard, not Max if her claim holds true.
"…charming film of self-reflection…an enjoyable experience for all of the senses…"
A Good Year is a charming film of self-reflection perfect for anyone who is at a crossroads in life. It reveals the importance of ensuring those whom you love know it, for once they are gone, it will be too late. It may help guide you toward seeing what's truly important in your life: family, friends, love, and drawing more from one's life than success based on the acquisition of material wealth. Director Ridley Scott has captured the trans-English Channel cultures of the English and French beautifully. The settings were as picturesque as possible as were the nuances of the performances of the leads. The only weak spot was in Abbie Cornish's portrayal of a Nappa Valley brat. She just didn't seem like a USAer. Marc Klein's screenplay is delightful steeped in allusions to wine making and wine culture that are sure to intrigue wine connoisseurs. Seeing the film is an enjoyable experience for all of the senses including olfactory one can practically smell the flinty, acetic wine produced by Uncle Henry's vineyard wafting out from the screen. Leave your imagination open, and let this film settle blissfully in the glass before taking a breath and a sip to savor.
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Other Projects Featuring A Good Year (2006)
Cast Members
Freddie Highmore
• Albert Finney• Russell CroweRafe Spall
• Archie Panjabi • Tom HollanderDidier Bourdon
• Isabelle Candelier• Marion CotillardJacques Herlin
• Abbie CornishDirector
Ridley Scott
Screen Play Writer
Marc Klein
Book Author
Peter Mayle
| Book | CD Soundtrack | DVD |
| Related Book | VHS |
A Good Year (2006) Review-lite [150-word cap]
As the title suggests, A Good Year is about one, life-changing year when a callous, talented, London bond trader named Max Skinner (Russell Crowe) is thrust back in time, not literally, recalling fond memories of his childhood summers on his Uncle's vineyard in France when his beloved Uncle Henry (Albert Finney) dies and French law determines him the closest living relative and, therefore, the sole inheritor of his Uncle's 'fortune'. The result is a charming film of self-reflection perfect for those at a crossroads in life. It may serve as to guide toward seeing what's truly important in life: family, friends, and love. Ridley Scott has captured the trans-English Channel cultures of the English and French beautifully. Certainly, an enjoyable experience for all of the senses including olfactory. Try Leaving your imagination open, and let this film settle blissfully before taking a breath and a sip to savor.
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