A Good Year (2006)

Posted : 12 months ago at Nov 25 14:31

''You'll come to see that a man learns nothing from winning. The act of losing, however, can elicit great wisdom. Not least of which is, uh... how much more enjoyable it is to win. It's inevitable to lose now and again. The trick is not to make a habit of it.'' 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. Love, passion and a whole new world open with new possibilities... Russell Crowe: Max Skinner Marion Cotillard: Fanny Chenal Being that Kingdom Of Heaven was the last film i saw by Ridley Scott and Gladiator the one i saw with his muse Russel Crowe i wasn't sure what to expect with A Good Year. What it gave...Read more

Rating : 8/10

Posted : 1 year, 6 months ago at May 3 14:50

I read Peter Mayle's book about a year before the film was released, and wasn't too impressed. The story about the winery seemed nice enough, but a few subplots seemed too tacked on. When I heard that a film was being produced, I thought, well, maybe they can salvage the book and make a good film of it. You know it has happened. I saw the film back in 2006, and while it was enjoyable, it wasn't exactly good. The story was too thin to really hold my interest, and the comedy just didn't fly (but then I am *very* picky when it comes to comedy --makes me run away most of the time!). Also, they couldn't escape some clichés (although some were put to good comical use!). I did keep a few memorable quotes, nevertheless (what was that about the poodle and the balcony?!) The cinematography was gor...Read more

Posted : 1 year, 7 months ago at Apr 26 3:38

"Thanks a million, Maximilian." Ridley Scott was the perfect choice for the director for this absolutely sublime, entertaining drama. I never really had an interest in seeing it because of the mediocre reviews it received, but it came as highly recommended by my uncle (a man obsessed with wine). I am extremely glad that I finally saw it. Russell Crowe plays snobby expert businessman Max Skinner who has dedicated his life to his crucial career. Max learns that his uncle (Finney), a man who essentially raised him, had died and left him his French estate. Max heads to France to visit the estate with intent to fix it up, and sell it. But once there, nostalgic memories are invoked when he views the estate and remembers all the great times he had with his uncle before he died. ...Read more

Rating : 8/10

Posted : 2 years, 4 months ago at Jul 4 5:24

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...Read more

Rating : 5/10

Posted : 3 years, 1 month ago at Oct 17 5:21

Kitsch und Schmalz triefen förmlich von der Leinwand wenn Ridley Scott die Provence in warmes Licht taucht und zeigt wie sich Russel Crowe in Land und Leute verliebt. Mit großer Treffsicherheit bedient er dabei jedes erdenkliche Klischee vom stylischen in blaues Licht getauchten Londoner Brookerleben bis ins beschwingte Südfrankreich mit seinen hübschen Bewohnerinnen auf Fahrrädern mir Obstkörben. Hauptdarsteller Russel Crowe versucht durch overacting komisch zu sein, nervt dadurch jedoch manchmal sehr. Story und Inszenierung bleibt vorhersehbar und tragen den Zuseher sanft ohne Aufregung durch den etwas zu langen Film. Trotz all dieser negativen Aspekte schaut man dem Treiben auf der Leinwand irgendwie gern zu und genießt die malerischen Aufnahmen. Fazit: Ein Film d...Read more

Rating : 4/10