Search - A Good Year (Full-Screen Edition) on DVD

Julie A.
Reviewed on 11/15/2007...

This was a sweet movie, not in line with the usual Russell Crowe action. It had the framework to be a great movie, but the producers didn't expound as much as I had hoped on Max's transformation. I would have liked to see a little more depth with such a huge life outlook change. Max went from a high strung, financially motivated jerk, to a laid back french vineyard owner with very little personal struggle. It was a funny, sweet movie. I would watch it again.

4 of 4 member(s) found this review helpful.

Under the French Provence Sun

Movie_Fan | Texas | 01/08/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

""A Good Year" deals with the story of Max (Crowe), a heartless guy who doesn't "do weekends" and has "questionable" work ethics (you could say), who goes back to France to his recently deceased uncle's vineyards in Provence in order to sell the property. Of course the movie is completely predictable : he falls in love with the local georgeous girl (Marion Cotillard) and he changes back into this guy who loves life and is nice and all of that good stuff. But don't hold that against the movie, because you'd then be missing out on a really good one.

The movie's been described as "Under the Tuscan Sun" with a male lead, and I guess that's somewhat accurate but at the same time not really. It does play the same stories what with getting situated in a beautiful environment, but the two lead characters in both movies are very different from one another. Diane Lane's character just wanted to get away whereas Crowe's just wants to go back so it's not exactly the same situation.
A lot of people criticize the fact that it's not Crowe's or Ridley Scott's best, and sometimes go to say it's their worst movie ever made. I personally don't see it. Coming into this movie you can't be waiting for something like "The Gladiator" because if that's the case you're in for 2 hours of boredom. So ok, it's not the best movie ever made, but it's not one of the worst either. Personally I'd say it's still above average, and considering some of the movies that have been coming out, it's almost like a little piece of paradise. The movie takes its time getting to where it wants to go, taking the time to take in all the scenery and the people and just the whole charm of the environment we've been put in. The acting is fine. It's not Russell Crowe's best but it's not horrendous either and he's just fine in the role he's playing, even if I had a tough time warming up to the character (but isn't that the point?). I'm a huge fan of Marion Cotillard so i'm biased but I thought she was great in the movie. The rest of the cast does really well too even though the neighbor had a tendency to get on my nerves.

On the whole, I thought it was a good movie, I really enjoyed it. It's a nice break from action and political movies, and there's a couple of times where you can't help but laugh (the reference to Lance Armstrong, for example). It's a movie that takes its time but I wasn't bored once, it still has momentum. But if you weren't a fan of "Under The Tuscan Sun", then beware because you won't be a fan of this one."

"A Good Year" is the Best Romantic Comedy of the Year!

Heather Grahm | Manhattan | 01/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not only is this film charming, it is g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s! Ever frame is breathtaking. Russell Crow is utterly convincing as a modern day Cary Grant, and every bit as suave and debonair. This role is quite a departure from the rough images we've seen of him in the past.

I welcome (as in weak in the knees) this new side of Mr. Crowe.

My husband even enjoyed this movie. We're both bewildered that it didn't have more box office appeal. Perhaps critics have too much influence on ticket sales.

See it for yourself. The scenery alone delights."