A Good Year

This is how you recongnise a good director. Scott has shown us here (and not for the first time) that he has no problem shifting from blockbuster budgets and earnings, big historical themes and megalomaniacal quests to smaller stories about real people, who admittedly have somewhat unusual moments, but we still can fully believe them. A Good Year is very a human story that caresses the soul with its easygoing, sometimes even salubrious atmosphere of sunny vineyards, refined British humour and above all Russell Crowe's acting, which is no worse than in Gladiator or A Beautiful Mind. Story-wise, it’s nothing extraordinary, it’s just wading the waters of the hackneyed theme of moral redemption by the influence of a beautiful setting full of even more beautiful memories, but what I appreciate all the more is the work of Scott, who once again managed to squeeze every last drop of both Crowe's performance and, this time, all the ripe wine out of a slightly rotting and almost empty warehouse. 85% (07/22/2014)

Though A Good Year is a modest little film, it is one of the best in Ridley Scott’s filmography in terms of fulfilling its objectives. There is nothing for which to fault this film. It doesn’t overdo anything, it’s pleasant and positive, and it makes full use of Russell Crowe’s acting skill and charisma. The poetics of the setting (camera filters, music) uniquely complement the intimate story, with the added bonus of sensitive and intelligent humor. (01/17/2007)

Now I'm going to repeat myself a little, but it's necessary. I don't like Ridley Scott and I try to avoid his films, even though I know I have to watch them at some point. However, I was still looking forward to "A Good Year". Mainly because of two factors. It's a film about wine and it also stars Russell Crowe. I never sought him out either, but I had to completely change my opinion. "A Good Year" once again showed me what a great actor he is. Ridley Scott showed me that from time to time he really makes something worth watching. "A Good Year" is not as much about wine as I expected, but I simply fell in love with the way the film was made, which is more French than American or English. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2013/02/dobry-rocnik-2006-80.html (04/09/2013)

Except for a few camera flights and typically chosen filters, it is not apparent that this little piece was directed by visual wizard Ridley Scott. What is even more surprising is that no matter what we focus on, everything in this film works fantastically. Scott delivers an easygoing, light, and incredibly charming escapade that will please not only lovers of the French countryside, warm summer evenings, candlelit dinners, or devoted winemakers. It’s a simple story with a worn-out message, but it’s presented with such a dose of nostalgia, naturalness, and lightness that it's hard to believe. It really works even without lavish visuals. The dialogues are excellent and many scenes are literally like a fairy tale, aided by the beautiful and meticulously crafted setting. Scott pays attention to every little detail, especially when it comes to the background (for example, the scene with Russel Crowe sitting by the pool reading a letter, with light fluff and dust swirling around him). Truly a heartfelt film, flawless as an escapade. Sufficiently light and playful for entertainment, yet also sufficiently intelligent and passionate not to offend with its simplicity. (10/12/2006)

The most undrinkable wine in Provence, a sharpened relationship between the English and the French, cinematic "frames" that could be framed instantly, all the genre clichés piled so high it's enjoyable, sympathetic banter, a nice pace, a reformed cynic and the blue eyes of one of the most beautiful angels France has right now. Ridley Scott is a true English gentleman... (09/24/2008)