A Romantic Comedy On The Rocks
A Good Year
Directed By: Ridley Scott
Cast: Russell Crowe, Marion Cotillard and Albert Finney
Rating: **
What do we really require to live a good life? It’s certainly a good job, a good apartment, a good car, a good mistress, a good fortune and a good year. Directed by Ridley Scott, pay no heed. Just pick it up and watch it. It’s quite a rollicking adventure from Long Live England to Viva La France. A Good Year is also produced by Scott and is based on the book by Peter Mayle. The film is visually arresting and irresistible. It has an amazing cast. It includes Russell Crowe, Albert Finney, Marion Cotillard, Abbie Cornish and Freddie Highmore. The film has quite a simple storyline but what it evokes in you is laughter and enjoyment. Bearing in mind that A Good Year is a romantic comedy, it won’t make you turn bitter watching the same lovesick people squabble among each other. The film is based on women and wine.
Max Skinner is a British trader who gets news of his uncle’s death. His uncle who happens to be his only surviving (now dead) relative hasn’t written any will and thus his property in France will be inherited by Max. Max’s first intention is to sell the estate and the vineyard which his uncle has left behind. But, trouble lands when Uncle Henry’s illegitimate daughter Christie Richards arrives to the estate. Fearing that the illegitimate daughter may have a claim, Max tries his best to ward off Christie. Soon, he learns that Christie has no intention of staying in France and decides to go back to California. Halfway through the film, we’re introduced to Fanny Chenal who seems to know a lot about Max. The mystery lies in the flashback. Does Max go back to the estate or does he stay rich in London. That forms the crux of A Good Year which I would call an artistic rom-com by Ridley Scott. The film is pepped up with humor which will certainly tickle your bones.
Now, we all have seen films with French Romance or to put in plain words, Romance in the French country with a French woman. Two Days In Paris is an awesome example of French Romance. But, the problem is that Two Days In Paris is more of a mature one while A Good Year is a fancy one. It is something which will keep you smiling throughout. Ever since Last Tango In Paris, screenwriters have always wanted their scripts to contain more French and less horrific English whenever it comes to writing a scene where the location is France. You see that here too. That’s where Scott’s gone soft. Marc Klein’s unabashed script is faulty at times. But, Scott and his crew do their best to keep up the film’s pace.
As Max Skinner, Russell Crowe proves a mighty jig. His fast-forward life and the way he speaks British English and juggles between some less profound curse words is something we would’ve seen in his previous films. As the young Max Skinner, Freddie Highmore does a good job just like his older counterpart. As Uncle Henry, Albert Finney lives a short role which he sweetens to the tip. As Henry’s illegitimate daughter Christie, Abbie Cornish makes a mark. But, the best performance with less screen time is Marion Cotillard’s Fanny Chenal.
A Good Year is a sweet tale. Bear in mind it’s a tale and don’t expect your livid reality to be screened. It is simply about two manly desires – Women & Wine.
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