Good Year, A

Good Year, A is rated PG-13: for language and some sexual content.

Audiences love to see a grumpy rich guy getting a good lesson on what's really important, and that's why movies like A Good Year will be forever popular -- no matter how many times we've heard the story.

In this telling, a hotshot trader, Max Skinner (Russell Crowe), begins his day dumping bonds and then repurchasing them a few minutes later from the beleaguered market -- at a steep discount. The obviously questionable transaction nets him a seven-figure profit, and reinforces his greedy tendencies.

However, the power broker is forced to stop and take a breath when word arrives from France that his Uncle Henry (Albert Finney) has died. During his childhood, Max spent a great deal of time with the kindly man who had no children of his own. But family relationships haven't been on the corporate ladder-climber's mind for quite some time, and now his only concern about the chateau and vineyard he has inherited is its monetary value.

Yet his trip to the Provencal countryside to survey his newfound claim proves to be just the ticket for the hardened business tycoon to take a moment's pause in his life journey. Although the property turns out to be a bit of a fixer-upper, Max can't help feeling the charm of the neighborhood or noticing a possible romantic interest in the quaint village up the road. As well, there is a caretaker (Didier Bourdon) who regularly begs him not to sell the property. Max's uncertainty about what to do with his future only gets worse when he receives news he has been suspended for his earlier trading practices. Suddenly he has even less reason to return to London's hectic pace.

The usual positive messages about getting life's priorities straight are evident in abundance in this script. Sadly, so are a collection of profanities, including two uses of a sexual expletive and a finger gesture, along with other crude terms for and conversations about sex.

Artistically, the film does work some magic within the last couple of acts. Max's recognition of what he chases versus what he really should be reaching for, seem sincere and reasonably believable, especially in a telling scene where his big city boss raves about an original masterpiece he keeps locked in the vault. While the two admire a reproduction of the artwork Max thoughtfully asks, "When do you ever look at the real painting?" The parallel to the protagonist's life is clear, and sends a valuable message to all of us who keep the best moments of life locked away.

Studio: 2006 Fox Home Entertainment.

This movie’s heart is in the right place as far as recognizing the importance of relationships and honoring a deceased relative’s wishes. Yet, the protagonist’s choice of the highlife in London versus the peaceful bliss of a French chateau is hardly a difficult dilemma. The moral value of the movie is further overshadowed by a number of sexual expletives and crude terms for sex, which is unusually high for this film’s rating category. An unmarried sexual relationship is heavily implied and discussions about sex, along with a few revealing outfits, are included. A casual attitude toward children drinking wine is portrayed and a young boy pretends to smoke a cigar. A man is slightly injured while attempting some household repairs.

The “money can’t buy happiness” premise is frequently played out in movies, yet how does the media industry itself ironically counteract this message? What real people do you know who truly live by this adage? Is this belief one you feel you can or could adhere to?

Perhaps the most famous story about a person who reforms his character and turns his love of money into a love of mankind is Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. In Disney’s The Kid, a man changes his priorities after getting in touch with his inner child. The movie Groundhog Day follows a self-centered television personality who is granted (or cursed with) repeated opportunities to figure out the best use of his time and life.

DVD Release Date: 27 February 2007

Taste the bouquet of A Good Year with the movies’ release to DVD (in either wide or full screen presentations). Toasting the film is director Ridley Scott’s audio commentary, while the recipe is revealed in The Making of a Good Year. The original theatrical trailer is also provided. Audio tracks are available in English (Dolby Surround 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround) and French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), with subtitles in English and Spanish.