A
Good Year (2006)
20th
Century Fox
Cast:
Russell Crowe, Albert Finney, Marion Cottilard
Rating:
PG-13
Run
time: 118 mins
Genre:
Romantic
Verdict:
Beautiful
(see rating
system)
Most
critics got their knickers in such a twist over the prospect
of director Ridley Scott and his Gladiator star Russell Crowe
making a gentle romantic comedy that they missed out on a
fine little flick.
The
idiots panned the movie. Shame. A film like this demands we
surrender to nostalgia, relive long forgotten childhood memories
and see if it’s not too late to live life a different
way.
That’s
the setup for Crowe, who plays the ruthless London share dealer
Max, who knows how to make money, but has forgotten how to
enjoy himself or form a deep relationship with a woman.
After making a spectacular - and possibly illegal killing
on the markets one day - Max
learns his eccentric uncle Henry (Albert Finney) has died
in France. As the only surviving relative Max has apparently
inherited the small French vineyard where he spent many happy
boyhood holidays.
At
first Max wants a quick sale, but when he visits the estate
in Provence, beguiling memories come tumbling back, forcing
Max to re-evaluate his life and values. He also feels guilty
over not contacting his uncle for the last 10 years of his
life.
When
Max tangles with the fiery, but stunning, cafe owner Fanny
(Marion Cotillard) a tantalizing new vision of what life could
be presents itself. But is Max, who counts life in terms of
monetary value, brave enough to seize the day?
\A
host of well drawn characters, gorgeous locations and a witty,
perceptive script make this as smooth as vintage wine. The
soundtrack - dripping nostaligia from the likes of Noel Coward
and Edmundo Ros - is also terrific.
The
DVD includes a good documentary on the making of the film.
