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A Good Year [2006] | ![A Good Year [2006]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51vBuidDwAL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: Ridley Scott
Actors: Russell Crowe, Albert Finney, Marion Cotillard, Freddie Highmore, Abbie Cornish
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Category: DVD
List Price: £19.99
Buy New: £3.99
You Save: £16.00 (80%)
New (21) Used (6) from £2.24
Rating:  35 reviews
Format: Anamorphic, Pal
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region: 2
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 112 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5039036032360
ASIN: B000NOKLT8
Theatrical Release Date: 2006
Release Date: May 7, 2007
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: ** WE SPECIALISE IN HIGH QUALITY AFFORDABLE ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTS, AIMING TO BE THE CHEAPEST ON OFFER. ITEMS WILL BE POSTED WITHIN 48 HOURS OF PURCHASE **
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| Editorial Reviews:
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
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| Customer Reviews:
 Intimate, tender and charming March 17, 2007
MM Turner (Birmingham, England)
100 out of 105 found this review helpful
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.
 Surprisingly enjoyable diversion into wine, women and gorgeously shot scenery August 7, 2007
Mr. Stephen Kennedy (Doha, Qatar)
14 out of 16 found this review helpful
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.
When what you need is a little light relaxation September 2, 2007
K. Moss (Cardiff, UK)
14 out of 15 found this review helpful
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.
Make up your own mind ! October 6, 2007
Peter Hughes (Burnham England)
12 out of 14 found this review helpful
" A Good Year" obviously did not suit some, however, I found it to be excellent in every aspect. Those who seek blood and gore, it's not for them, but those who enjoy a good storyline, well acted and some superb photography, it's for them.
flimsy but enjoyable June 1, 2007
Steve O Shea
7 out of 11 found this review helpful
cut throat successful banker inherits chateau and vineyard in provence sets up a sale but falls in love with the place and the local belle and finally decides its where he belongs cancels the sale and sets up home to live the good life and thats about it.
plot wise theres not a great deal and the film is very predictible however it is a very easy on the eye rom-com with a little bit of suspense chucked in for good measure, you never get the impression that things will go wrong and thats the way it pans out they all live happily ever after. there is a fair bit of comedy thrown in to the mix and with scumptious views of the area,a good year is a fairly pleasant way to pass acouple of hours,great soundtrack i may also add.
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