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Review for: A Good Year (DVD, 2007, Full Frame) by: mintex03 ( 1133User Score ) See all reviews by mintex03 A most enjoyable movie about a middle aged Englishman named Max Skinner. Max is a "Bull market " trader who trades currencies and financial instruments. To Max, making money is everything. He is very successful and very wealthy. When he was a child, his Uncle Henry, who lived in France, was his guardian. A boarding school child, he was educated in England, but learned of life from Uncle Henry during all of those summer vacations on his winery estate, La Siroque. Suddenly, Max learns of his Uncle Henry's death. As Henry's only relative, Max was set to inherit everything, but guilty for not having spoken to him in the past ten years, Max decided to sell everything as fast as possible. On a trip back to France, Max begins to reminisce about his time there as a boy. As the memories start flooding back, Max now starts having second thoughts. Max has a run in with a local girl, Fannie Chenal, and is mesmerized! She owns a nearby restaurant and Max, while not watching where he was going, ran her and her bicycle off the road. In turn, when he falls into the empty pool and can't get out because there is no ladder, she repays him by turning on the water. The vineyard master and his wife, Frances and Ludefin Duflot are the staff and have been there for years, back to when Max was a boy. Several days later a young American girl, Julie (Abby Cornish) shows up asking for Henry. Max tells her that Henry has recently died, and she tells him that Henry was her illegitimate father, the product of a relationship between her mother and Henry from twenty years previous. She worked at a vineyard and had met Henry on a trip to California. As days go by, Max is trying to figure out how to get rid of this potential cousin because she could queer any sale if she was for real. This and the quiet French charm of La Siroque, Fanny Chenal, and everything about the lifestyle of this place begins to seduce Max and make him not want to return to his former life. He decides to accept Julie as his cousin when he finds a reference to her in Uncle Henry's papers. Henry died without a will, so Max wrote one and included her in the inheritance. Eventually, "when called on the carpet" by his boss, Sir Nigel, Max has to make a decision to accept a large amount of money, and get out, or accept a full partnership and stay in the business. Max decides to take the money, Fannie, and the lifestyle of La Siroque. ....lessRead full review
This is a well acted romantic comedy of sorts, Crow does a great job portraying the current Wall street attitude, and Cottilard shows her engaging talents quite well, the story flashes back and forth on Crow's childhood living at his uncle's vineyard, Finney does a great job as the uncle, all the characters are right on the money including Finney's illegitimate daugther played by Cornish. It all makes for an entertining evening without the typical pitfalls you normally get to see in movies of this genre.
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This is a charming story of a workaholic who's only pleasure in life is making money in the stock market. When his beloved uncle who reared him dies unexpectedly after not seeing him due to putting work first...it brings on a serious crossroad for him. (Russel Crowe) The scenery of Provence, France is spectacular; as is the villa Max Skinner inherits. (Crowe) He meets a childhood friend quite by accident, and eventually love ensues. This film proves the point that a life without love, no matter how many millions you have, is a cold life indeed. This is a wonderful film and one will truly enjoy it.
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I have been a fan of Russell's for over 10 years now. I WAS looking forward to this film when it came out. Sorry to say, really disappointed in it. And, it showed because the film did HORRIBLE at the box office. Now with 2 Oscar winners with Marion Cotillard. A plus is that Russell & her did good jobs with their roles. The film in my opinion was made to look like a cheap 1980's comedy in certain parts. Like the stuff about Russell's rental car. Done MUCH BETTER IN PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES. Russell falling in the pool with NO WATER BUT WITH WASTE. NOT needed, unnecessary. They sure promoted the film when it came out in 2006. UNNECESSARY minor nude scene with Cornish. Great to look at. Extras behind the scenes & 3 Russell music videos. A rare misfire for the combo of Russell & Ridley.Read full review
Russell Crowe is not one of my favorite actors. I wouldn't pick a movie because he was in it. But a true French addict, this movie also stars an actress from one of my favorite French movies, and she is excellent and there is Albert Finny who makes the movie. He is the main character, and Crowe is only supporting Finney's influence. Its fairly predictible, which is in a way comforting, like an old fashion cheeze burger, but there is lovely scenery and witty dialog, and that s what makes movies. Watch it. Max Rainet. If you found this information at all helpful, please take a moment to select the "yes" button below. The more people that select the "yes" button, the better the chance this Guide is seen by more eBay members.
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