A GOOD YEAR

Starring:
Russell Crowe, Marion Cotillard, Tom Hollander, Rafe Spall, Archie Panjabi, Didier Bourdon, Isabelle Candelier, Abbie Cornish, Freddie Highmore and Albert Finney

Director:
Ridley Scott

Running Time:
118 mins

Out to buy on DVD 07/05/07

 

 

 

 

"Are you sure that your life doesn't suit your this"

Max Skinner (Crowe) is the main man on the London Stock Exchange, making millions in minutes. Ruthless and uncompromising in his pursuit of money, Max had his admirers and his haters but that didn't matter to him. There was a time when he was different and he is about to be reminded of it. Hearing that his only relative, his Uncle Henry (Finney), has died, Max has to travel to Provence to deal with his estate but when he arrives at the Chateau where he spent most of his childhood summers, he remembers that his time in France might well have been the best time of his life.

After enjoying Oscar winning success with the sword and sandals epic 'Gladiator', director Ridley Scott and actor Russell Crowe reunite for a very different kid of movie.

Based on the novel by 'A Year on Provence' writer Peter Mayle, 'A Good Year' sees both Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe move away from their usual high concept fair to deliver a romantic comedy drama that you cannot help but enjoy.

Russell Crowe plays Max Skinner, a ruthless moneymaking broker who basically terrorises the London Stock Exchange, making bundles of money along the way. All the trapping of a successful career are at his fingertips. An apartment overlooking the Thames, all the best clothes and women baying for his attention but because of the competitiveness of the business, he has very few friends and trusts no one. When he is told his Uncle Henry has died, he starts to remember a time when life wasn't about making money, especially when he has to return to Provence to take care of his Uncle's estate.

It is when Max heads to the French chateau that the story really starts. As he walks around the estate he remembers the summers he spent with his Uncle and how much he loved the place were he grew up. Can these memories, the house and the vineyard make him realise that there is more to life than money? Does this sound familiar?

While the story may have a little bit of the 'Scrooge' about it, it is the way it is acted and shot that makes this such an enjoyable new take on the classic tail. Finding the true meaning and purpose of life is the running plotline of the book and the movie but it is the way that Max goes about it and the way that Russell Crowe plays the role that draws you into this all too familiar plotline. You know exactly how it is going to end but it is the enjoyable journey to get there that makes the film such a pleasant watch.

As you'd expect from Ridley Scott, the film is a visual delight. From the dank, metallic greyness of his life in London to the brightly coloured, almost heavenly flashback sequences of the young Max with his Uncle Henry, Max's outlook on life is reflected in the mood of the colours on screen, as he gets happier so does the brightness of movie. This proves again that Ridley Scott is one of the most visual and talented directors ever.

Along with Russell Crowe fine performance, the rest of the cast live up to their Oscar winning co-star. The incredibly beautiful Marion Cotillard is excellent as Fanny Chenal, even with her unfortunate, very French name. Didier Bourdon and Isabelle Candelier provide some laughs as vineyard keeper Francis Duflot and his housekeeping wife Ludivine. Tom Hollander continues to make a name for himself with another good performance as Max's friend and estate agent Charlie. Archie Panjabi and Rafe Spall are also good as Max's assistant Gemma and his protégé Kenny. The always brilliant Albert Finney and the child star of the moment Freddy Highmore bring some delight to the flashback scenes as Uncle Henry and the young Max.

'A Good Year' is a change of direction for both the man at the helm and his star and it is one that you can see that they both enjoyed. While the plotline might not be the most original, there is much to enjoy here, as each frame of the movie is a picture and the performances light up the screen. 'A Good Year' is simply a good movie.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 with Dolby Digital 5.1, the movie is presented well.

BONUS FEATURES

Postcards from Provence
A unique behind-the-scenes experience is a feature length hybrid of video featurettes and audio commentary by director/producer Ridley Scott and screenwriter Marc Klein that plays throughout the film. The featurettes are entitled 'The Chess Game', 'On the Road', 'The Swimming Pool', 'The Tennis Match', 'The Wine Cellar', 'Fanny's Café', 'The Dinner', 'The Basin' and 'A Good Life', and feature director Ridley Scott, star Russell Crowe and the rest of the cast and crew.

Russell Crow and Ridley Scott Promo (2.28 mins)
The star and the director sit down in Provence to tell you what the movie is about. Trailers Watch the theatrical and international trailers for the movie

Music Videos
Watch Russell Crowe and the Ordinary Fear of God perform 'One Good Year', 'Weight of a Man' and 'Testify'

Previews
Watch the trailer for 'Rocky Balboa'

OVERALL

As with all Ridley Scott movies, the DVD treatment for 'A Good Year' is extremely good. The unique 'Postcards from Provence' that intermixed featurettes into the movie to cover the relevant sections is a great idea and as ever the commentary from the great director is first rate. Fans of the film should be very pleased.

DVD

Sideways


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2006