A Good Year~How Could This Delicious Tale Of Provence Be Anything But Good!

A Good Year How delicious it was, like a fine wine!!

When I heard Peter Mayle had written this new book I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it…I just loved every word as it took me back to that splendid countryside of Provence….when I finished the book, I said to my hubby, boy, I hope they make a movie of this story, since I felt it would really translate well onto the big screen. Then, it happened, a story came out stating the Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe were collaborating on making a film based on the book A Good Year. Was I ever thrilled, yet I had misgivings about how Crowe would be able to transform his rough and gruff image for the character of Max Skinner, a more amiable sort of guy though, in the beginning of the film, he was big time wheeler and dealer on the London stock exchange, living a very cut-throat and fast paced life. And, of course he did a perfect job in that aspect of the role

But that's all soon the change:

When the movie opens we meet Max as a young boy, (Freddie Highmore), who is staying with his uncle Henry, (Albert Finney)...when, in one of the first scenes, we see Max cheat at Chess it shows us that the life he later led in London shouldn't come as too much of a surprise…it turns out though that there was much more to the relationship of uncle and nephew, when we are witness to the real affection shown in the following flashbacks between the two.

Back in London, it isn't long before Max receives word that Uncle Henry has died and left his entire estate, chateau, and vineyards to his beloved nephew.

When Max returns to Provence, his every intention is to sell the property after appraising what its value is and how much money the vineyard makes.

He can't help but reminisce about his relationship with Uncle Henry when he was a boy, played by Freddie Highmore…those scenes bring back a rush of fond memories and demonstrates just how influential the lessons he learned from his uncle were, and still are, in his present day affection for the finer aspects of life...though he seems to have forgotten that gentler, more affectionate side...that's soon to change though.

Upon his return he meets the man in charge of the vineyard, M.Duflot, Didier Bourbon)...this encounter leads to quite a few surprises, more so in the book, but, even in the film, this gruff wine grower seems to be apprehensive about Max's return and for good reason, especially when he finds out Max intends to sell...but it seems Max is softening as he becomes comfortable in is old surroundings, his life is a bit more peaceful and enjoyable as he wanders through the lush vineyard, the surrounding sun-swept countryside and into the charming old village where he meets the locals.

One day he has a small car accident and is even unaware that anyone might have been hurt or involved since he was so distracted driving his tiny car while he talking on the phone to his secretary in London…But the young, very attractive girl, who was thrown from her bicycle, doesn't forget, and when she finds out who was responsible, has her own way of seeking some harmless, yet shocking, (to Max), retribution.

Then along comes another stranger, this time a young girl from California, Christie, (Abbie Cornish)….it seems she is on a quest to find her illegitimate father, a man she never met but learned about just recently…all she wanted to do was meet her father but alas, it was too late, but did she have a claim to this vineyard and property?

Coincidentally she was in the wine making business in the wine country in California, so was very informed about all the aspects of making wine, from the grapes to the finished product…while looking around she was a bit weary of the way business was being done by Monsieur Duflot as well as the state of the grapes themselves. A little investigation seems to be in order.

Back in the village, Max finds out soon enough that there is more than meets the eye going on when he becomes acquainted with the notary in charge of selling the property and meets the other villagers, one, in particular, the owner of the local cafe, Fanny,(Marion Cotillard), who also works as it's waitress, really captures his attention….it turns out that Fanny and Max may even have had some history long ago..

All this laid back living, in such a beautiful atmosphere, makes Max think twice about his original intention of selling the property off, so his attorney, Charlie, Tom Hollander makes the trip to glorious Provence to see what's going on....and, meets Christie.

Thus, all the principle characters are in place and what a place it is! I won't go into any more of the story, but have to say that this location in the Provence, the Luberon, (where most Mayle's books take place), is, in my opinion, as much a star attraction as any of the actors...The sheer Provencal beauty, the warmth of that quaint and most charming village, the sweeping panorama of the vineyards just glow in the bright sunshine of what life could be for Max, instead of the tough cut-throat world he just came from. What would you do if faced with such a decision…there's no question in my mind, about what I would do!

I had my questions about how Ridley Scott would handle such a much gentler story then his usual films, but he didn't let me down, nor did Russell Crowe. He did a superb job in demonstrating his fine acting ability by doing just what he did, showed a kinder, gentler side to what we have come to expect from him and in quite a softer, gentler tone.

I found myself grinning from ear to ear in many scenes, and when I asked my hubby at the end of the film what he thought, his answer even surprised me, he was charmed by this feelgood movie and enjoyed it immensely...That, to me, says quite a lot!

My only disappointment was that they left out what I thought was an important part of the book, a bit more about the vineyard and what it's mystery was, but I guess you would have to read the book to find out what that storyline was…in any event, all in all I really did love this movie and have watched it twice since purchasing the DVD….I just can't seem to get enough of Provence. I guess I never will.

Maybe that's why one of the DVD extras just won me over as well:

Postcards From Provence; behind the scenes experience…ahh and what a postcard that is.

A feature-length audio commentary by director/producer Ridley Scott and screenwriter Marc Klein.

The making of Featurette,

3 Russell Crowe music videos !

The Main Cast of Characters

Freddie Highmore - Young Max
Russell Crowe - Max Skinner
Albert Finney - Uncle Henry
Marion Cotillard - Fanny Chenal
Abbie Cornish - Christie Roberts
Tom Hollander - Charlie Willis
M.Duflot - Didier Bourbon

Directed by:
Ridley Scott
Produced by;
Lisa Ellzey, Julie Payne (II), Branko Lustig

For those interested, my review of the book
A Good Year



This is an entry into my French and English Write-off to be found here