“A Good Year” (20th Century Fox)
And A Good Movie!
Actor Russell Crowe and Director Ridley Scott combined their talents to bring us “Gladiator.” Now they have reunited on a movie that is entirely different in content. It is titled “A Good Year” and it is a slow moving, romantic comedy about life in France. Whereas “Gladiator” was all about the roar of the arena, “A Good Year” is all about good food, good friends, good wine and good love.
At the center of the story is Max Skinner (Crowe). He is an investor in the London stock market and is a killer in the deals. The nastier he can be, the better. He lives for the work and his work is his life. Friends are okay but they had better not expect much. He doesn’t like holidays and never vacations. He is “Mad Max” of the investment world.
One day he is notified of his uncle’s death and that he is the heir to his estate in France. Slightly annoyed he flies to France to take care of this business. At the villa memories of his uncle (Albert Finney) flood his mind. He remembers that as a boy (Freddie Highmore) he spent some of his happiest times there.
The movie moves along at a languid pace introducing us to a possible love interest (Marion Cotillard) for Max, his best friend Charlie (Tom Hollander), and a possible “cousin” (Abbie Cornish). These and a few other assorted characters help make the movie enjoyable and entertaining.
The best thing about the movie is Crowe, and the fact that he is not playing the typical “Crowe role.” He is not pugnacious or abrasive. He isn’t even very brave. He is just charming with a capital “C.” It is an endearing performance and one that warms us up to Crowe the good guy. You are pulling for him most of the way through the film and you want him to find happiness.
The flashback scenes featuring Finney and Highmore are also captivating. We get to see the essence of the strong bond between the two and can understand why it is so important to Max many years later. He may have forgotten it for a while, but the bond was always there.
The film is rated PG-13 for profanity and sexual situations.
“A Good Year” is a good film. It isn’t the typical Russell Crowe fare but it doesn’t have to be. Crowe is a very good actor and as such is capable of playing many different roles. This time out he is going for the charmer and he succeeds brilliantly.
Be prepared for the easy-going, languid pace of the film. Nothing in this movie is rushed. It all occurs in due time. So enjoy the story, the scenery, the music and the charm of the actors. If you do this you will have a good time with “A Good Year.”
I scored “A Good Year” a good 7 out of 10.
