A Good Year [DVD] [2006]

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Total RRP: £53.97
Price For All Three: £10.93

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• This item: A Good Year [DVD] [2006] DVD ~ Russell Crowe

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• Under The Tuscan Sun [DVD] [2004] DVD ~ Diane Lane

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• My House In Umbria [DVD] [2003] DVD ~ Maggie Smith

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Amazon.co.uk Review
A feel-good movie that highlights the beauty of France as much as it does its stars, A Good Year provides a languid, gorgeous viewing experience. Director Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe--who first worked together on the Academy Award-winning Gladiator--are reunited in this romantic film, which is based on Peter Mayle's book A Year in Provence. Crowe plays Max, a workaholic London bonds trader who doesn't know the meaning of vacation. When his uncle dies, leaving him a picturesque estate in the south of France, Max views it as an opportunity to cash in the vinery and pocket the profits. The film is reminiscent of Diane Lane's Under the Tuscan Sun in the way the scenery plays as much of a role in the film as its characters. The lush village and streaming sunlight portray Provence as an idyllic, magical place. Even Max falls under its spell. While not a particularly likeable character, especially in the early part of the film, Max also isn't a bad guy. When he gets the chance to live life at a less manic pace than which he is used to, he finds that a good year isn't dependant on a financial windfall. Though Scott tries to drum up some suspense in the film (Is the beautiful visitor really Max's illegitimate cousin? Will Max fall in love with the feisty local woman he trades quips with?) nothing that happens comes as much of a surprise. Still, while the film doesn't fully utilise Crowe's range of skills, the actor is charming in his role and A Good Year provides fine viewing. --Jae-Ha Kim

Synopsis
London banker Max Skinner (Russell Crowe) is a cutthroat workaholic who cares only about winning and making money. During his rise to the top, Max has forgotten the important life lessons that his favourite uncle, Henry (Albert Finney), taught him during summers at his vineyard in Provence. Estranged from Henry for years, Max is surprised to learn that his uncle has passed away and as his closest living relative, he is set to inherit the estate, La Siroque. True to form, Max heads down to Provence for a quick visit in order to assess the value of the property with dollar signs in his eyes. Once immersed in Henry’s world and the charm of La Siroque, Max begins to remember his visits and how much Henry and those summers meant to him. Other surprises--including a budding romance with fetching local cafe owner Fanny Chenal (Marion Cotillard) and a visit from a young American claiming to be Henry’s illegitimate daughter (Abbie Cornish)--prolong Max’s visit, making Provence more and more difficult to resist. Can Max be content leaving his fast-paced life in London for lazy days in a French vineyard? Or will he sell his estate to the highest bidder, memories and all, and return to his hectic lifestyle? Crowe shows his softer-side--and even throws in some physical comedy--as a man revisiting his past and considering his future. Finney is a charmer as Henry in flashback scenes (where Freddie Highmore plays a young Max) that establish his character’s joie de vivre and the tender relationship shared between uncle and nephew.

Under The Tuscan Sun [DVD] [2004] DVD ~ Diane Lane 4.1 out of 5 stars (31)  £2.97

My House In Umbria [DVD] [2003] DVD ~ Maggie Smith 3.8 out of 5 stars (19)  £3.98

Music and Lyrics [DVD] [2007] DVD ~ Campbell Scott 3.5 out of 5 stars (79)  £3.98

The Holiday [DVD] [2006] DVD ~ Cameron Diaz 3.5 out of 5 stars (119)  £3.87

A Year In Provence [1992] [DVD] DVD ~ John Thaw 3.8 out of 5 stars (5)  £5.98

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50 Reviews 5 star:  (13) 4 star:  (18) 3 star:  (6) 2 star:  (2) 1 star:  (11)           Average Customer Review 3.4 out of 5 stars (50 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews   104 of 109 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Intimate, tender and charming, 17 Mar 2007 By  Martin Turner "Martin Turner" (Birmingham, England) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)       Isn't Ridley Scott amazing? The man who directed 'Blade Runner', 'Alien', 'Thelma and Louise' and 'Gladiator', to name but a few, has brought us a tender romantic-comedy which is utterly, utterly different from anything he has done before. In a character completely different from 'Gladiator', Russell Crowe is a sardonic and cut-throat London financial trader who apparently is to inherit his uncle's wine-growing estate in France where he grew up. Visiting it with no purpose other than to sell it, he gradually falls in love once again with the place, with the people, and with a young cafe-owner called Fanny Chenal. 'A Good Year' has some charming bits of fun -- driving a Smart car in France, trying to get out of an empty swimming pool, scorpions causing the foreigners to panic -- but it is ultimately a character comedy about a man rediscovering himself. Some of the underlying Ridley Scott trademarks are there -- immaculately staged visuals, confident use of time which enables him to explore details as the plot gradually builds -- but they are used for a completely different purpose. There are no grand concepts of honour, revenge, the fight to survive, or saving the human race, nor are there the stark contrasts between character and situation. Equally, while many of Scott's worlds are utterly remote from our own (war-torn Africa, Columbus's Spain, the far-future in space), this one is so close to home that you can almost imagine getting into a car and driving into the script. And, while many of his films are directed on a gigantic scale, 'A Good Year' is intimate and reflects the two tiny worlds of Provence and London's Square Mile. 'A Good Year' did not immediately impress the critics. But neither did 'Blade Runner', nor a number of other Ridley Scott films now considered to be classics. I've watched it twice, in the space of a few days, and I fully expect to watch it three or four times more. Warmly recommended. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   14 of 15 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars When what you need is a little light relaxation, 2 Sep 2007 By  K. Moss "Kevlet" (Cardiff, UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Thank goodness we're all different. Unlike one of the reviewers, who appears to be unable to find any merit in this offering of Ridley Scott's, "A Good Year" did, quite precisely, hit the spot. It's got a simple and predictable plot. It's about the perennial theme of the real values in life - something that get's more important as we get older. It's got wine, wonderful French scenery, beautiful women, a Harley Davidson, and creative uses of the word 'bollocks'. What more could you want? The cinematography was quite simply lovely. I cannot comment particularly expertly on the acting, but Albert Finney seemed perfect, and young Freddie, playing the central character as a boy appeared quite brilliant. And the music - far from seeming like an afterthought, as one reviewer intimated, fitted the overall mood of the film extremely well. If a strength of a film is its ability to make one want to "be there", then this one scores very highly indeed. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   15 of 17 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly enjoyable diversion into wine, women and gorgeously shot scenery, 7 Aug 2007 By  Mr. Stephen Kennedy "skenn1701a" (Doha, Qatar) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)       The story of a callous and irredeemably nasty market trader, who has to go to Provence to take care of his late Uncle's Estate and finds the change of pace gradually melts his exterior. Although the storyline seems somewhat slight, the screenplay has a lightness to the script which brings at the very least a smile, if not outright laughter in places - this may not be an out and out comedy, but it is certainly lighthearted enough to be entertaining. The characters all have a touch of reality in an exaggerated form, which grounds the movie, albeit through a rosy lens filtered romantic haze. If you are willing to just go with the flow, enjoy the scenery, the gorgeous cast and the languid pace, then you will be well enough rewarded with a lingering smile at the end. If there is a down side, it is that it's not the most original of storylines, and in unlikely hands in the form of Ridley `Epic' Scott and Russell `Imposing' Crowe. Ridley Scott doing comedy has a slightly forced feel to it, none more so than when he has Crowe doing slapstick. The scene with Crowe trying to get out of the pool goes on for just a bit too long to be comfortable, and watching Crowe falling about in the mud is somehow just not funny. All things considered, this is actually a good movie, elevated to 4 stars by a combination of Scott's lushly photographed scenery, and the charming flashbacks with Albert Finney as the uncle and Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the chocolate factory, Finding Neverland) as the young Max Skinner. A Good Year won't be bothering Oscar any time soon and won't remain on anyone's top ten list - but it's a surprisingly effective and charming change of pace for Scott and Crowe. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this) Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review › See all 50 customer reviews...		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 3.0 out of 5 stars A feel good film, but rather blandly executed This is the sory of a ruthless materialistic London trader who inherits a vinyard estate in Provence where he spent summers during his childhood with an uncle he had grown distant... Read more Published 11 days ago by John M 1.0 out of 5 stars Awful What a dreadful film. How on earth ridley scott and crowe could make such a turkey is beyond me. Published 14 days ago by M. Booley 5.0 out of 5 stars A refreshing movie I didn't know what to expect when I bought this movie. I like Russell Crowe but had no idea he could be so funny! Read more Published 16 days ago by Valerie J. 5.0 out of 5 stars A feel good film A Good Year [DVD] [2006] This is a great film which leaves you feeling good. Yes the story is a bit corny and the acting is not brilliant but it has a... Read more Published 1 month ago by Gary Nichols 4.0 out of 5 stars Charming film Lovely music and scenery. If you dream of living in a French chateau, this film is for you. Published 1 month ago by Carole Latter 5.0 out of 5 stars A good Year I was pleased with this film. It was funny & showed you the life of France. I thought Russell Crowe was very funny in it. Read more Published 1 month ago by Moonlight 5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Year Great story, romantic, funny in places and well acted by Russell Crowe! A good 'girlie' film! Published 1 month ago by Mrs. C. Clamp 4.0 out of 5 stars Worth watching I really enjoyed this film. I liked the story, and the characters were well acted (especially by Russel Crowe), and I loved the setting of beautiful Provence, which truly makes... Read more Published 2 months ago by Shoesy 4.0 out of 5 stars A good year What a gorgeous film. I usually hate Russell Crowe and was put off when i saw that he starred in this movie but he was actually great and very well cast. Read more Published 2 months ago by Ms. Kelly M. Tyler 5.0 out of 5 stars Superb, sink yourself into the wonderful life style of French life. Ridley Scott always knows how to capture the moment. This brilliant film puts the shallow life of banking and making big money into true perspective. Read more Published 2 months ago by Mrs K M Noel Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews › See all 50 customer reviews...

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