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)

The title of the movie promised a glimpse into the history of a world-famous tire manufacturing company. Oddly enough, it turned out to be a completely different film. The unwelcoming factory halls were replaced by the sunny Province, and the smell of rubber was more than made up for by the smell of wine. I’m not exactly a fan of Russell Crowe. There was something peculiar about this movie, though. It was set in France which I don't like, the lead role was played by an actor I don't like, the pace of the story wasn't exactly frenzied, romance wasn’t in short supply, but despite all this, the film made me feel good, and that's what counts. Admittedly, it wasn't a masterpiece, it was very soon clear how it was all going to turn out, the plot was a bit too naive at times and the main character's transformation was a little too smooth, but it still had its charm laced with nostalgia and I quite enjoyed watching it. / Lesson learned: If you cause an accident, call for help or make sure no one talks... (08/07/2022)

An accomplished caress for the slightly gloomy soul (successfully tested today). What I particularly liked about the film was the nice humor and the fact that there is no downright negative character in the story (I was expecting some type of greedy winemaker who would try to fool the main character). Nice. As for the female characters, I liked the sympathetic Archie Panjabi as much as Marion Cotillard, or maybe even a little more. Wonderful soundtrack (especially the songs). (05/25/2013)

I didn’t expect that A Good Year would captivate me so. I’m not too keen on wine and Russell Crowe (despite being an outstanding actor) isn’t one of my favorites. Nevertheless, it happened. Probably it was the allure of charming France, beautiful women and beautiful landscapes. Provence is just enchanting. And Ridley Scott takes advantage of it. Memories of childhood and nostalgia are almost tangible in every shot. In my opinion, collaboration between Ridley and Russell worked out even better than in Gladiator. (09/15/2007)

Movies about reevaluating one's current life, finding the right place to exist, and true friends have always had their doors open for me, and when Ridley Scott directs his personal emotional masterpiece and Russel Crowe plays his wanderings in Provence with feelings like never before, it's decided. A human and heartwarming success in the truest sense of the word. (03/01/2007)