Directed by:
Ridley ScottScreenplay:
Marc KleinCinematography:
Philippe Le SourdComposer:
Marc StreitenfeldCast:
Russell Crowe, Marion Cotillard, Freddie Highmore, Albert Finney, Archie Panjabi, Richard Coyle, Ben Righton, Rafe Spall, Tom Hollander, Kenneth Cranham (more)VOD (3)
Plots(1)
A British investment broker inherits his uncle's chateau and vineyard in Provence, where he spent much of his childhood. He discovers a new laid-back lifestyle as he tries to renovate the estate to be sold. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (11)
The title of the movie promised a glimpse into the history of a world-famous tire manufacturing company. Oddly enough, it turned out to be a completely different film. The unwelcoming factory halls were replaced by the sunny Province, and the smell of rubber was more than made up for by the smell of wine. I’m not exactly a fan of Russell Crowe. There was something peculiar about this movie, though. It was set in France which I don't like, the lead role was played by an actor I don't like, the pace of the story wasn't exactly frenzied, romance wasn’t in short supply, but despite all this, the film made me feel good, and that's what counts. Admittedly, it wasn't a masterpiece, it was very soon clear how it was all going to turn out, the plot was a bit too naive at times and the main character's transformation was a little too smooth, but it still had its charm laced with nostalgia and I quite enjoyed watching it. / Lesson learned: If you cause an accident, call for help or make sure no one talks...
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An accomplished caress for the slightly gloomy soul (successfully tested today). What I particularly liked about the film was the nice humor and the fact that there is no downright negative character in the story (I was expecting some type of greedy winemaker who would try to fool the main character). Nice. As for the female characters, I liked the sympathetic Archie Panjabi as much as Marion Cotillard, or maybe even a little more. Wonderful soundtrack (especially the songs).
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I've always had an open-door policy for movies about reevaluating your current life, finding the right place to exist, and true friends, and when Ridley Scott is directing his personal emotional masterpiece and Russel Crowe plays his wanderings through Provence with emotions like never before, it's a done deal. A human and heartwarming success in the truest sense of the word.
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This is how you recongnise a good director. Scott has shown us here (and not for the first time) that he has no problem shifting from blockbuster budgets and earnings, big historical themes and megalomaniacal quests to smaller stories about real people, who admittedly have somewhat unusual moments, but we still can fully believe them. A Good Year is very a human story that caresses the soul with its easygoing, sometimes even salubrious atmosphere of sunny vineyards, refined British humour and above all Russell Crowe's acting, which is no worse than in Gladiator or A Beautiful Mind. Story-wise, it’s nothing extraordinary, it’s just wading the waters of the hackneyed theme of moral redemption by the influence of a beautiful setting full of even more beautiful memories, but what I appreciate all the more is the work of Scott, who once again managed to squeeze every last drop of both Crowe's performance and, this time, all the ripe wine out of a slightly rotting and almost empty warehouse. 85%
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Though A Good Year is a modest little film, it is one of the best in Ridley Scott’s filmography in terms of fulfilling its objectives. There is nothing for which to fault this film. It doesn’t overdo anything, it’s pleasant and positive, and it makes full use of Russell Crowe’s acting skill and charisma. The poetics of the setting (camera filters, music) uniquely complement the intimate story, with the added bonus of sensitive and intelligent humor.
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