A Good Year (English, 2006)

Romance is not dead! Even in the world full of money and sex, life can still stand still on viewing a beautiful sunrise, or a chess table on which you played in childhood, or for that matter, a girl who is a vision.

A Good Year is the story of Max Skinner (Russell Crowe). Max Skinner is a London based bonds trader. Max Skinner does not do weekends, Max Skinner does not take holidays; Max Skinner makes money. So when Max Skinner inherits a vineyard in Provence, France, the place where he says, “All my memories begin within 100 yards from this spot” – all he can think of is how to go and sell it as fast as possible. However, once he reaches there, he is unable to get away. Slowly he realises that it is not the place which doesn’t fit his life, it is his life which doesn’t fit the place; and it is the decision that he has to take for himself – money or his life?

As clichéd a story as can get, perhaps so outdated that it is now new. A romance fitting into the basic definition of romance – totally impractical, but so charming that you stop thinking of practicality. That’s exactly what happens in the movie. With the charming beauty of Provence, yet another stellar performance by Russell Crowe and the execution of a romantic plot which reminds you of everything you have left behind to run in the rat race of modern times.

Recommendation – For the eternal romantic inside all of us, the movie is a must. Those who have managed to kill that inner romance, please avoid the movie.

Rating – ✔✔✔